As preparations intensify for the July 2025 local government elections in Lagos State, several political parties have threatened to boycott the polls if the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission insists on recognising the 37 Local Council Development Areas alongside the constitutionally recognised 20 Local Government Areas.
The threat was issued on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting convened by LASIEC with leaders of 19 registered political parties. The electoral body had earlier announced July 12, 2025, as the date for the council elections across the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs, with a rerun scheduled for July 19, 2025.
Despite LASIEC’s assurances of a credible and inclusive process, tensions rose during the meeting as party leaders voiced grievances over the electoral commission’s approach and the constitutional legality of including LCDAs in the election.
The Chairperson of the Inter Party Advisory Council in Lagos State, Mrs. Temilola Akinade, expressed dissatisfaction with what she termed the “neglect” of IPAC by the newly constituted LASIEC board.
“Critical questions and issues remain unresolved as regards the appropriate interpretation of the Supreme Court’s pronouncements on LG autonomy and how that will impact the 37 LCDAs established by the state government,” Akinade said.
She further criticised the commission for releasing election guidelines and notices without prior consultation with IPAC, despite its role as a key stakeholder.
Also speaking, Mr. Ayinde Olawale of the African Congress for Change declared that his party would not take part in any election that recognised the 37 LCDAs in the state.
On his part, the State Chairman of the Allied People’s Party (AP), Mr. Dele Oladeji, urged the LASIEC board to do more to carry political parties along and ensure legal clarity for a smooth electoral process.
In response to the concerns, LASIEC Chairman, Justice Mobolanle Okikiola-Ighile (Rtd.), defended the commission’s actions, attributing the delay in consultation to the board’s workload since assuming office on January 10.
“The load of work and need to put things in order since assumption of duty on January 10 could not allow the board to have ample opportunities to meet with IPAC,” she explained.
“The law, however, only requires the commission to meet with IPAC before the guidelines will be released. However, the document is billed for release on April 17, hence, the meeting.
“The commission respects IPAC and political parties a lot. The issue of guidelines is why we call for this critical stakeholders meeting to have your inputs.”
Justice Okikiola-Ighile reaffirmed the commission’s neutrality and commitment to a credible election. “We are not for any political party, we are LASIEC. We are here to conduct a free, fair, inclusive and credible election.
“Nobody among us is a card carrying member of any political party. Let us be nice to ourselves. We are not your opponent; we are working for the betterment of this election.
“We are prepared, we are working, we have sworn an oath and we are going to carry our oath to the letter,” she said.
Highlighting the election procedures, the LASIEC boss urged political parties and aspirants to adhere strictly to the election timetable and guidelines. She announced that nomination forms would be available at LASIEC headquarters, and that female candidates would pay only half the administrative fees.
“At the end of the verification exercise, list of validated candidates will be displayed on the notice board in the commission’s headquarters,” she added.
The meeting was attended by representatives of political parties including the All Progressives Congress, Labour Party, Peoples Democratic Party, Accord, Youth Party, National Rescue Movement, African Democratic Congress, Action Democratic Party, All Grand Progressives Alliance, New Nigeria People’s Party, Social Democratic Party, African Action Congress, and others.
