Low turnout and irregularities mar Lagos LG elections

Summary

• Voter apathy and logistical issues overshadow local polls across Lagos
• Former deputy governor alleges irregularities, calls for cancellation
• LASIEC, Sanwo-Olu defend process, blame delays on fuel and material errors

Lagos, Nigeria – The Lagos Local Government elections held today, Saturday 12 July 2025, have been characterised by a notably low voter turnout and widespread allegations of irregularities, casting a shadow over the legitimacy of the exercise.

Voters across the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas headed to the polls to elect chairmen and councillors. While voting commenced at 8:00 AM and was expected to conclude by 3:00 PM, several polling units witnessed sparse attendance, with many voters absent altogether.

Reports from across the state cited significant logistical challenges, including the late arrival of electoral officials and voting materials. In some cases, voters were unable to locate their polling units due to either last-minute changes or missing ward lists. Officials of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) attributed these setbacks to fuel shortages, incorrect sorting of materials, and misdeployments.

Amid these difficulties, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, a former Lagos State Deputy Governor, raised serious concerns about the integrity of the process. She alleged that names were missing from voter registers and that polling units were relocated without proper notice, disenfranchising many voters. She has since called for the cancellation of the election, citing these irregularities as evidence of a flawed process.

Despite the challenges, a heavy security presence was maintained across Lagos, particularly around the LASIEC headquarters, where results collation is expected to begin after polls close. The Lagos State Police had earlier announced a complete restriction on vehicular movement from 3:00 AM to 3:00 PM to facilitate the election.

Reacting to the day’s events, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu commended LASIEC for what he described as a generally efficient process, despite acknowledging some early delays. He also emphasised the importance of local government autonomy.

LASIEC Chairperson, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (retd), downplayed the low turnout, suggesting voters may have completed their tasks early and without incident.

In contrast to these reassurances, the scenes across several wards painted a picture of apathy and confusion, fuelling wider concerns about voter engagement and the credibility of the electoral process at the grassroots level.

Fifteen political parties were confirmed to have participated in the election, with early indications from polling units suggesting the All Progressives Congress (APC) is leading, followed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP). However, with accusations of irregularities mounting, the integrity of these early leads may face further scrutiny during the collation of results.