•Vote casting
Exactly one year after a landmark Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy in Nigeria, 7,060,195 registered voters in Lagos State, Nigeria’s economic nerve centre and revenue powerhouse, head to the polls today, Saturday, July 12, 2025, to elect their preferred representatives into chairmanship, vice-chairmanship and councillorship positions across the 20 local government areas (LGAs) and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs) in the state.
Politically, Lagos is of keen interest to many Nigerians, being the home state of President Bola Tinubu, who once ruled the state as governor for eight years (1999-2007) and who is reckoned by many as the Jagaban of Bourdillon or the godfather of Lagos politics.
Lagos, located in the Southwest zone of Nigeria, houses over 20 million residents and stands tall as the country’s internally generated revenue leader, generating ₦1.3 trillion in revenue in 2024.
Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, sprawls inland from the Gulf of Guinea across Lagos Lagoon.
The state is home to the headquarters of most financial institutions, telecoms companies, international oil companies, international and local airports, seaports, as well as the hub of phone markets, wares, among others.
As politicians jostle to occupy much-coveted public offices across the state, today, the process will be overseen by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).
Whilst the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) organises federal and state elections, the state electoral commission handles local government polls.
LASIEC Chairman, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, told our correspondent this week that no political party was restrained from participating in the elections.
Data from the body shows that 15 out of the 19 registered political parties in the country have been confirmed for the chairmanship, vice chairmanship and councillorship positions in the 20 LGAs and the 37 LCDAs in the state.
Unlike the general elections, Justice Okikiolu-Ighile confirmed that LASIEC won’t use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during the election. Instead, he said, “there are some electronics that we are going to use in between. We can go manual.”
She acknowledged that low voter turnout has traditionally plagued local council elections nationwide but expressed optimism that the commission’s outreach efforts and growing public trust would lead to increased participation this time.
“We are ready. We have worked hard. Now, we urge Lagosians to come out and vote peacefully,” she said.
Will APC’s Dominance Continue?
During the last local government polls on July 24, 2021, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) swept all the chairmanship seats in all the 20 LGAs and the 37 LCDAs in the state and won 375 of the 377 councillorship seats across the state at the time.
But opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have vowed to challenge APC dominance in the elections.
According to data by the state electoral umpire, Lagosians with Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would elect their preferred representatives in 13,325 polling units across the 376 wards spread across the state.
The local governments are Agege, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Alimosho, Amuwo-Odofin, Apapa, Badagry, Epe, Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Kosofe, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Mushin, Ojo, Oshodi-Isolo, Shomolu, and Surulere.
The LCDAs are Orile Agege, Ifelodun, Agbado-Oke Odo, Ayobo-Ipaja, Egbe-Idimu, Mosan-Okunola, Oriade, Apapa Iganmu, Olorunda, Badagry West, Eredo, Ikosi-Ejirin, Ikoyi-Obalende, Iru/Victoria Island, Lekki, Ojokoro, Onigbongbo, Ojodu, Igbogbo-Baiyeku, Ijede, Imota, Ikorodu North, Ikorodu West, Agboyi-Ketu, Ikosi-Isheri, Lagos Island East, Yaba, Odi-Olowo, Iba, Oto-Awori, Ejigbo, Isolo, Bariga, Coker-Aguda, and Itire-Ikate.
One of the persons of interest in the election is Abdulganiyu Obasa, son of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, who is contesting the vice chairmanship seat of Agege LGA.
Group Doubts LASIEC’s Autonomy
Meanwhile, civic group Enough Is Enough has raised concerns about the state electoral commission’s readiness and commitment to transparent and lawful elections.
In a statement, the group’s chief, Opeyemi Adamolekun, said LASIEC failed to adequately publicise the election, the late release of the validated candidates’ list, and violated the Electoral Act 2022 in fixing the election date, among others.
“LASIEC’s commitment to delivering a free, fair, and credible election is questionable given widespread concerns over transparency and due process.
“The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), comprising all 19 registered political parties in Lagos, condemned LASIEC’s unilateral release of guidelines without consulting political stakeholders, which violates established democratic norms.
“This lack of consultation extends to civil society organisations, who have also noted a concerning secrecy surrounding the process and an unwillingness to communicate and engage,” the group said.
Police Deploy 30,000 Personnel, Restrict Movement
Already, the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party have alleged desperation by the ruling APC with claims that the campaign posters and banners of opposition parties were torn and defaced.
The opposition also raised the alarm over potential violence in hotspots such as Surulere, Ojo, and Agege LGAs.
To curb pockets of violence that had characterised voting in flashpoints in the state, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, led a show of force across the state.
The police commissioner also said over 30,000 police personnel had been deployed for the polls. During a pre-election security briefing in Lagos, the police commissioner said 20,000 officers were deployed from the state command and an additional 10,000 personnel approved by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to guarantee the security of voters across the 13,325 polling units in the state.
Jimoh said marine police, tactical units such as the Rapid Response Squad, Lagos State Taskforce, and other special squads have been deployed to support operations across land and coastal areas.
“We are fully prepared. Our operations are structured into three phases: pre-election, election day, and post-election. Threat assessments have been conducted, flashpoints identified, and proactive measures taken.
“No polling unit will be left unmanned. Officers at polling units will not be armed, but armed intervention teams will be stationed within striking distance,” he assured voters of their security.
Meanwhile, the police announced restrictions for vehicular and waterways movement from 6am to 3pm, during which voters are expected to exercise their civic franchise.
Sanwo-Olu Pledges Transparent Polls
On the eve of the local council polls, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, whose party, the APC, controls the state, with significant federal backing, assured Lagosians of his “administration’s commitment to free, fair, and transparent elections that reflect the will of our people”.
He said, “I call on all eligible voters across the state to come out in large numbers to participate in the exercise. The local government is the closest tier of government to the people and plays a vital role in delivering essential services and fostering grassroots development.
“This election is not just a constitutional process; it is a powerful expression of your voice and your civic responsibility; it is your right. I urge every registered voter to go out peacefully tomorrow, cast your vote, and be a part of the democratic process that strengthens our communities and our state.
“To ensure a safe, orderly, and credible election, I have directed that security agencies be strategically deployed across all polling units and communities. Law enforcement officials will be present to protect voters, electoral officials, and election materials.”
The governor also urged youths to shun any form of violence and instead act as ambassadors of peace and democratic responsibility.
