The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has presented Certificates of Return to the Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and Councillors-elect from the Saturday Local Government elections.
The ceremony, held at LASIEC Headquarters in Sabo, Yaba, Lagos, marked the official affirmation of the public’s mandate to those who will take over the new leadership in 57 local councils in the state.
The ceremony was witnessed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos State Exco-led by Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi; his predecessor and Chairman APC Canpaign Council, Alhaji Babatunde Balogun; Party Secretary Adeola Jokomba; Women’s Leader Jumoke Okoya-Thomas and host of others.
LASIEC Chairman, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, described the event as a monumental ceremony and a hallmark of democratic culture.
She expressed profound gratitude to God and all Lagos residents for their active participation and support throughout the electoral process.
“This event is more than a ceremony as it is the hallmark of democratic culture culminating in the actualization of resilient months of strategic planning, civic participation and institutional efforts,” Justice Okikiolu-Ighile stated.
The commission boss stated that over 24 per cent voters’ turnout was recorded in the poll as against 10 percent recorded in 2021.
This, she said, is unprecedented and a substantial improvement from the past editions.
“This is unprecedented, meaning that people came out more than they did in 2021. The increase is due to our robust voter awareness campaigns that utilized public transport branding and billboards across the state. Favorable weather conditions, with no excessive heat or rain, also contributed to voters’ comfort on the Election Day. Despite some initial difficulties for voters in locating their units, LASIEC provided vehicles to transport them to the correct polling stations after verification, ensuring all eligible voters had the opportunity to cast their ballots,” she said.
According to her, the number of polling units from about 8,000 in 2021 to 13,325 in 2025, helped reduce crowding and streamline the voting process.
She lauded the collective efforts of various stakeholders, including the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), candidates, security agencies, civil society organizations, traditional institutions, youth organizations, market men and women, faith-based organizations, persons living with disability (PWDs), the media, election observers, and the electorate.
She commended the professionalism and dedication of LASIEC staff and ad-hoc personnel, acknowledging the operational and logistical challenges encountered in the early hours of the exercise but praising their steadfast commitment.
Justice Okikiolu-Ighile highlighted the peaceful nature of the elections, noting that observers reported it as one of the very peaceful elections for local government polls.
“I personally visited numerous polling units and received video evidence confirming the increased participation,” she said.
The Chairman extended appreciation to the security agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Army, Navy, Air Force, DSS, NSCDC, and Operation MESSA, for their zero-tolerance approach and effective deployment that maintained law and order.
She noted that reports of issues were promptly addressed by the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh.
Justice Okikiolu-Ighile announced that LASIEC would not be resting on its laurels.
She said: “A post-election retreat for members, Electoral Officers (EOs), and Assistant Electoral Officers (AEOs) is scheduled for next week to critically evaluate the process, address challenges such as late starts and material distribution and discuss instances of hostility faced by officials.
“The commission has also drawn a year-round timetable for continuous engagement, emphasizing voter education and regular stakeholder meetings. The goal is to make LASIEC a household name and clarify its functions, often confused with those of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”
The Chairman reiterated that Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are not within LASIEC’s mandate, urging citizens to utilize INEC’s portal for PVC collection, transfers, or new registrations.
APC Lagos State Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, said the party was pleased with the outcome of the polls and pledged not to take the people’s trust and support for granted.
He said: “We thank the people of Lagos for believing in our party and giving us this victory. We worked hard for it and appreciate God for granting us strength and the wide acceptance shown by the people of Lagos State,” Ojelabi said.
He assured Lagos residents that the party would fulfill its campaign promises and its candidates would meet expectations across all local councils.
According to him, the party has established mechanisms to monitor its elected council officials and ensure they contribute meaningfully to the state’s development.
“By God’s grace, we shall meet that expectation.
Commending LASIEC, Ojelabi described the election as a successful and historic exercise that reflected the will of the people.
Chairman-elect of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Seyi Jakande, thanked the residents for voting for him.
Jakande, son of the late first Executive Civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, recallsedthat late Jakande, who govern Lagos State between 1979 and 1983, left many unmatchable and imperishable impacts in the state.
According to him, most of the programmes being initiated in the council are for the peoples wellbeing, which are the steps of late Jakande.
“We are going to key into the vision of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, organising people-centric programmes and policies. We are definitely going to sustain them (Jakande’s policies) in a way we are going to put in new innovations to move the council forward,” he said.
Appreciating support from the people, Jakande commended LASIEC for conducting a free, fair and credible elections.
Chairman of Isolo LCDA, Adebayo Olasoju, assured the electorate of more developmental programmes.
He promised to deliver governance every resident would be proud of.
“We have always delivered on all our campaign promises in the last four years. We will continue to do. It’s a continuity of all of the programmes that we have actually done in the past eight years as vice chairman of the council. We intend to sustain the people-oriented programmes that have impacted on the lives of people of the community. We are bringing in new innovations to impact on the people,” Olasoju said.
The lone PDP councilor-elect out of the 376 councillors in the state, Babatunde Dosunmu, said, his popularity and trust reposed in him by the people of Yaba Ward D, Abule-Oja gave him the victory.
Dosunmu said that the mandate was for the people, promising not to dash their hope.
