…As APC Wins All, PDP Wins One Councillorship Seat The Lagos State local government and local council development areas’s election took place on Saturday, July 12th, 2025. Similar to other recent elections in Nigeria, reports indicated low voter turnout, delays in the distribution of electoral materials, and instances of vote buying. The State Independent Electoral
…As APC Wins All, PDP Wins One Councillorship Seat
The Lagos State local government and local council development areas’s election took place on Saturday, July 12th, 2025. Similar to other recent elections in Nigeria, reports indicated low voter turnout, delays in the distribution of electoral materials, and instances of vote buying.
The State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) announced that the local government election was scheduled to take place on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. However, voting commenced after 10 a.m. in most polling units, and several voters reported that electoral officers and voting materials did not arrive at their locations until later in the afternoon.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) achieved a perfect victory in the local government elections held on Saturday, 12 July 2025, across the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas in the state.
On Sunday, Justice Mobolanle Abidemi Okikiolu-Ighile (Rtd.), Chairperson of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), announced the election results. The APC secured all 57 chairmanship positions and 375 out of 376 councillorship seats in the local poll.
“The All Progressives Congress won every chairmanship in Lagos’s 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas, along with 375 of 376 councillorships; only Yaba LCDA’s councillorship went to the Peoples Democratic Party,” she said.
Although the poll aimed for full participation from Lagos residents to elect new leaders in 20 local governments and 37 LCDAs, turnout was low, with only a few people voting and many polling units largely empty.
The poll was mostly peaceful, with security personnel present to protect voters. However, there were reports of vote buying by some party representatives in parts of the state.
The Nigeria Democratic Report (NDR) observes that LASIEC officials in local governments such as Ifako-Ijaye, Ikeja, and other areas of the state reported low voter turnout at polling units.
An official at Polling Unit 27, Ward E, Ifako-Ijaye local government (Guru Mahraji axis), who requested anonymity, stated that voter turnout was much lower than expected.
The official who could not provide a specific reason for the low turnouts said the voter apathy might be due to a lack of awareness among the citizens.
“I believe that people did not come out to vote because there was a lack of mobilisation and awareness efforts to encourage voter participation. I feel more work should be done to sensitise people to perform their civic duties,” she said.
At PU 085, Ward F (Shoprite, Ikeja), only 5 of 62 registered voters had voted by 1:30 p.m., as residents showed little enthusiasm for participating.
Voters Doubt the Integrity of the Electoral Process
Aisha Mohmoh, an independent election observer, attributed the low voter turnout in the local government election to a lack of trust in the electoral process. She noted especially low participation among women and youth, who feel excluded from governance.
Previous elections and their outcomes have influenced public participation in the country’s electioneering process, including in Lagos local government. There is a perception among some that the process lacks transparency, as it is believed that candidates for political office may be predetermined, and elections serve as procedural requirements.
Taiwo, an observer at Ward F, Ifako Ijaye, Adeola Group of Schools polling unit, attributed low turnout to people’s belief that participating is a waste of time.
“I have my voters’ card; in fact, my polling unit is at Ikeja, but I chose to come and have a nice time with my friends here because these elections we are having are fruitless. Before you vote, they have already chosen their winner. Nobody can bring me to the polling units under the scorching sun for what I know is not going to yield a positive result. Even if they get there, what do they do? I don’t trust the process anymore, to be honest,” he said.
Vote Buying and Harassment Chased Voters Away
Some members and agents of other political parties alleged vote buying and voter suppression in parts of the state. Folayemi Akinfolarin, an agent for an African Action Congress councilor candidate in Ikoshi/Isheri’s Ward F, claimed that some All Progressives Congress supporters intimidated voters who refused their money.
“This event can’t be called an election. Some APC supporters and agents allegedly bribed voters, who were paid after voting and providing their names.”
“They also chased some of us away from the polling units with threats and some weapons, which they used to scare some of our voters away from exercising their franchise rights. This is not an election; it is something else. Even they are paying police to look away.”
LASIEC Chair Addresses Concerns Regarding Low Voter Turnout
Although there were reports of low voter turnout, LASIEC Chairperson Retired Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile stated that polling units appeared uncrowded because voters left shortly after voting.
The retired justice told journalists that claims of low participation were unfounded, stating that the process was active and voters turned out to cast their ballots.
Speaking about the delayed arrival of election materials, she said, “At the end of the day, everything settled. Some parts took some time to start, but others took a while. Some people took their time to come out to vote.”
A Peaceful Process, Says Governor Sanwo-Olu
The Lagos State Governor has lauded the peaceful conduct of the state’s local government election held across the state, commending the residents for being orderly throughout the process.
In a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the diverse participation of youths, elders, market women, artisans, and professionals, noting that their conduct reflected the participatory spirit of the state.
“Your peaceful conduct, sense of responsibility, and turnout across polling units have once again demonstrated the true spirit of Lagos, a state built on participation, progress, and people-centred governance.
“I commend our youths, elders, market women, artisans, professionals, and all stakeholders who exercised their right to vote with dignity and orderliness.
“You have shown that democracy will continue to shape leadership when the people actively participate in elections. In other words, you reaffirmed that we are truly the “Centre of Excellence.”
“To our security agencies, the media, and electoral officials, I say thank you for your professionalism, dedication, and commitment to ensuring a safe and credible process. Your efforts helped make today a success.
The LASIEC chairperson also expressed her satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the poll and the engagement of the civil society organisation, the security agencies, and other critical stakeholders to ensure that the activity was seamless.
She commended the media professionals at the frontline for their effort to make the election a successful process. “Their presence was a significant factor in maintaining a conducive, congenial atmosphere across the polling units.
“We are pleased to announce that no major cases of electoral violence, ballot snatching, voter intimidation, or general breakdown of law and order were recorded,” she added.
Okikiolu-Ighile said that the commission “was pleased to report that the election was generally free, was fair, was peaceful, was orderly, was transparent, was credible, and was devoid of significant obstructions.”
The LASIEC chairperson acknowledged low voter turnout and delays in distributing voting materials during the local election, attributing these issues to logistical challenges. She stated that voter apathy persists and emphasised a commitment to improving voter education and stakeholder engagement.
A total of 139 candidates representing 10 political parties contested the 57 chairmanship positions in Lagos State’s local government election held on Saturday. Additionally, 14 political parties fielded 842 candidates vying for councillorships in the state’s 376 legislative seats.
The elected chairpersons and councillors are scheduled to be sworn in later this month. Listed below are some of the elected chairpersons and their respective local areas.
Bariga LGA – Busola Adedeji Bukola
Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA – Hon. Olamilekan Olu Akindipe
Alimosho LGA – Akinpelu Ibrahim Johnson
Ibeju Lekki LGA – Abdullahi Olowa
Kosofe LGA – Barr. Moyosore Adedoyin Ogunlewe
Badagry LGA – Babajide Hunpe
Mushin LGA – Hon. Haruna Olatunbosun Aruwe
Oshodi-Isolo LGA -Otunba Kehinde Almaroof-Oloyede
Ojo LGA – Hon. Princess Muhibat Titilola Rufai
Olorunda LCDA: Peter Kumayon
Lagos Island LGA – Hon. Taiwo Oyekan
Igando-Ikotun LCDA – Snr Comrade Lasisi Ayinde Akinsanya
Ifako-Ijaiye LGA – Prince Usman Akanbi Hamzat
Somolu LGA – Hon. Lateef Ashimi
Amuwo-Odofin LGA – Prince Lanre Sanusi (PLS)
Lagos Mainland LGA – Alhaji Emilagba Jubril
Eti-Osa East LCDA – Hon. John Campos Ogundare
Badagry West LCDA – Hon. Rauf Ibrahim Kayode Yemaren
Apapa Iganmu LCDA – Hon. Wale Jimoh
Epe LGA – Princess Surah Olayemi Animashaun
Lekki LCDA – Hon. Rasaki Bamidele Kasali
Ikorodu LGA – Prince Adedayo Abdullateef Ladega
Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA – Hammed Aroyewun
Surulere LGA – Sulaimon Yusuf Bamidele
Agege LGA – Tunde Azeez
Ikosi-Isheri LCDA – Princess Samiat Abolanle Bada
Ikeja LGA – Akeem Dauda
Ejigbo LCDA – Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo
