A coalition of Lagos indigenes has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its consensus governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, to consider Boladale Dapo-Thomas as a potential running mate, citing her long-standing administrative experience and deep involvement in Lagos State governance.
The appeal, made over the weekend, has begun to attract attention within governance and policy circles, with supporters describing Dapo-Thomas as a technocrat with strong institutional knowledge and leadership capacity.
The group argued that as Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos requires a deputy governor who not only aligns politically but also has a solid grasp of public administration and reform processes.
According to them, Dapo-Thomas fits this profile, given her decades of service in the Lagos State Civil Service.
“Her record is evident. At a time when governance is becoming more complex, Lagos needs experienced hands who understand how the system works,” one of the conveners said. “She has moved through the ranks and consistently delivered results.”
Dapo-Thomas currently serves as Chairman of the Lagos State Civil Service Commission, where she oversees staff welfare, recruitment policies, training, and disciplinary matters within the state workforce.
Before this appointment, she held several senior roles, including Permanent Secretary in key ministries such as Physical Planning and Wealth Creation, where she was credited with driving reforms aimed at improving efficiency and public service delivery.
She began her civil service career in 1988 as an Administrative Officer II and gradually rose through the ranks.
Between 1988 and 1999, she also served as Protocol Officer and Private Secretary to the wives of four successive Lagos governors, managing high-level engagements and coordinating social programmes during a key period in the state’s political development.
Her career progression has been described as steady and largely controversy-free, a quality her supporters say is valuable in today’s political environment.
During her tenure in the Ministry of Physical Planning, she contributed to efforts aimed at modernising urban development processes, while her work in the Ministry of Wealth Creation aligned with initiatives focused on job creation and economic inclusion.
Supporters also pointed to the growing demand for greater female representation in leadership positions, saying her possible selection would reflect both competence and inclusivity.
“This is not just about gender; it is about proven capability meeting opportunity,” another stakeholder noted.
While there has been no official response from the deputy governor’s office, analysts believe such endorsements could influence internal party discussions as political preparations intensify ahead of future elections.
