Lagos residents will file out today, Saturday, July 12, 2025, to elect new leaders across the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in a pivotal grassroots election supervised by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).
The election, which is expected to begin by 8:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m., will see voters across the state decide on 57 Chairmen, 57 Vice Chairmen, and 376 Councillors, spanning all 13,325 polling units. Of the 7,060,195 registered voters in Lagos, 6,214,970 have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), while 845,225 PVCs remain unclaimed.
In a press briefing ahead of the polls, LASIEC Chairman, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (Retd.), assured the public of the commission’s readiness, stating that “comprehensive steps” have been taken to ensure a “free, fair, credible, inclusive, and peaceful” process.
She emphasized that LASIEC is committed to safeguarding the integrity of the elections and that security operatives, including the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the joint military patrol team OP MESSA, have been deployed across the state.
“We are leaving no stone unturned to guarantee a process devoid of violence, intimidation, or harassment,” she said.
Despite these assurances, controversy has marred the pre-election atmosphere. Only two of the fifteen political parties participating in the election — the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Youth Party — signed the traditional Peace Accord organized by LASIEC.
The 13 remaining parties declined to sign, citing concerns about the commission’s transparency and preparedness.
At the peace accord ceremony, Commissioner of Police Olohundare Jimoh was present, but party representatives raised issues including LASIEC’s refusal to extend deadlines for candidate registration and a lack of consultation before releasing electoral guidelines.
Labour Party Chairperson, Dayo Ekong, cited internal crises and alleged vandalism of party campaign materials as reasons for their inability to meet LASIEC’s timetable, pleading for deadline extensions which were ultimately denied.
Adding to the tension, the Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR), led by Comrade Alex Omotehinse, petitioned the Lagos State House of Assembly, demanding a postponement of the elections.
The group argued that the delayed implementation of the State Local Government Administrative Law, signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on May 7, 2025, until August 4 — after the elections — creates legal ambiguity and undermines democratic principles.
“This calculated delay is not only unjustifiable but also undermines the Constitution and democratic norms,” CHSR declared in a petition.
“Allowing a law to be suspended arbitrarily for political convenience sets a dangerous precedent and may encourage future governments to subvert legislative processes.”
While LASIEC remains firm on proceeding with today’s elections, the combination of unresolved grievances, peace accord rejection, and legal uncertainties has added a layer of tension to what should be a routine democratic exercise.
Observers and civil society organizations are expected to monitor the election closely amid fears of post-election litigation and unrest.
As voting gets underway, all eyes are on Lagos to see whether the state can uphold its reputation as a model for democratic governance or become mired in electoral controversy.
