By Amaka Okwudili
The Youth Development Committee of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) has expressed deep sorrow and concern over the mysterious deaths of five women, all members of the Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State, within just two months of assuming office.
According to a press statement signed by Rachel Anyanwu, popularly known as Ada the Welder and Chair of the Youth Development Committee, NILOWV described the incidents as a heartbreaking and alarming development that demands urgent attention.
“The tragic loss of these women is not only disheartening but raises grave concerns that must not be ignored. Every woman lost is not just an individual, but a pillar of her family, her community, and the society at large,” the statement read.
The committee emphasized that these women were “cornerstones whose absence has created painful voids in their homes and in our collective democracy.” NILOWV therefore called on the Nigerian Police Force to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths and to make the findings public.
According to the statement, ensuring justice and transparency in the matter would help restore public confidence and reassure women in politics that their safety and contributions are valued.
The committee further urged that these tragedies should not discourage women across Nigeria from seeking elective or leadership positions. “The right of every woman to contest, to participate, and to lead in governance remains fundamental and must be safeguarded,” Anyanwu stated.
NILOWV also called for nationwide prayers among women and girls to seek divine intervention to prevent a recurrence of such tragic incidents.
The statement concluded with a message of hope and resilience: “May we remain united, resilient, and unshaken in our pursuit of equity, justice, and representation for women across Nigeria. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and God bless the Nigerian woman.”
