The Chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (rtd), spoke with Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU, TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO and CHINYERE OKOROAFOR on the preparations for the July 12 local government polls, voter education and the agency’s commitment to free and fair exercise
What level of preparedness has the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) achieved for the July 12 chairmanship and councillorship elections?
LASIEC is very prepared. I thank God for where we’re coming from, where we are now, and where He is taking us. I would liken our current state to that of a very intelligent student preparing for an important examination. We are ready.
Of course, as with any examination, you only truly know the questions when you get into the exam hall. But sincerely, to the best of our human capacity, we are prepared.
How many political parties are participating in the exercise?
Fifteen out of the nineteen registered political parties will be participating in the upcoming elections.
Can you shed more light on the guidelines for the elections?
Certainly. Our guidelines stem from the timetable we released on April 12, 2025. Following that, we issued detailed guidelines, which included the applicable fees. The political parties have already complied with those requirements. The guidelines also specified when parties could obtain and return nomination forms. As of now, we’re at the validation stage. This means political parties that collected and returned forms have submitted the lists of their candidates.
We are currently reviewing those submissions, examining the completed forms, verifying attached documents, and ensuring everything aligns with the laws and our guidelines. Validation will begin on Thursday, the 26th of June, and will run for five days. That marks the final phase for the political parties.
Your predecessors were also judges. As a judge, what was on your mind when you were appointed?
My integrity. That was the first thing I considered. I believe the appointment was based on the recognition of my integrity, my capacity for hard work, and the quality of my output. The appointing authorities saw someone who could deliver on the job.
Will your commission ensure a level playing field for all candidates and parties?
Absolutely. As the saying goes, “A child that will do well shows signs early.” You can already see how far we’ve come in such a short period. We were appointed on January 10, 2025, and had less than five months to plan and execute this election. And yet, we’ve made remarkable progress.
What is the link between your agency and INEC?
First of all, INEC is literally our next-door neighbor, we’re situated side by side. That physical proximity naturally encourages collaboration. But beyond that, there’s a statutory connection between us. INEC conducts national and state elections, while we, at LASIEC, are responsible for local government elections. So, although we handle different tiers, our functions are closely related. INEC plays a foundational role in our electoral process. For instance, we rely on them for the voters’ register and the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs); we do not produce or distribute voter cards, those are entirely under INEC’s purview. INEC also handles the delineation of polling units. In the 2021 local government elections, we had about 8,000 polling units. For the upcoming elections, we now have 13,325 polling units—all created by INEC.
Anything that has to do with PVCs, issuance, validation, or replacement, comes from INEC. Additionally, political party registration is also INEC’s responsibility, not ours. So, as you can see, our operations are deeply interlinked. In the past, local government elections were often seen as heavily influenced by the ruling party. But things are changing, and we are committed to running free, fair, and credible elections, independent of any political influence.
Isn’t that tied to the perception that your agency may pander to the ruling party?
Well, we can’t stop people from having opinions. Everyone is entitled to their views. But I can confidently say that such a perception is not true—and it’s certainly not what we are working toward. We are an independent body. It’s even in our name—Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC)—and since our appointment, we’ve been treated as such. We operate independently, and that is how we are conducting this election.
Now, when you speak of voter apathy, that’s a broader issue. We’ve worked hard to engage the public and make them aware that an important election is taking place on July 12, 2025. We’ve done extensive public sensitization. From the onset, we visited all 20 Local Government Areas and 37 LCDAs to meet our Electoral Officers, understand their challenges, and address them. That was our first line of action—to improve on what we met on the ground.
Voter apathy isn’t just about skepticism toward the electoral body. It’s about getting the public genuinely interested and willing to come out and vote. And we’ve been deliberate in showing the public that this commission is committed to conducting a free, fair, credible, and transparent election.
We’ve taken several steps to boost visibility and public confidence. Across Lagos, you’ll see billboards, branded BRT buses, tricycles (Keke Marwa or Kurukwes), commercial vehicles—all carrying election awareness messages. We’ve rolled out jingles on radio and television, and our voter education teams are in markets, schools, and communities across the state.
As we speak, some of our teams are out there today. We’re doing everything we can to raise awareness and educate voters. But at the same time, it’s also the responsibility of political parties to mobilize their members and supporters to come out and vote.
This is a grassroots election, arguably the most important kind, because it’s the closest to the people. And we’re doing all we can to ensure Lagosians know their votes matter and that this election will be worth participating in.
There are allegations in some quarters that some of your commissioners are also politicians. Can you shed light on that?
Yes, I will, especially since you used the word “were.” That’s very important. Anything in the past tense is just that, past. Everyone has a past. For example, I worked at the Ministry of Justice, where I started my professional career, then went on to serve on the bench, and eventually retired before this appointment. So yes, some individuals may have been involved in politics in one way or another before now. But I can assure you that, currently, no commissioner is a card-carrying member of any political party or holds political allegiance. That’s a fact. I wouldn’t mislead you or try to cover up the truth. The past associations weren’t negative, and they don’t define their roles in this commission. Right now, no one here carries a party card.
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Since assuming office, what challenges did you identify from previous LASIEC administrations, and what improvements have you made?
Thank you for that important question. Let me be clear: I wouldn’t say there were intentional mistakes in the past, but there were definitely shortcomings that we have addressed. When we came in, we immediately began reviewing the commission’s records, especially post-election reports. We discovered, for instance, that in somae polling units, materials arrived late, delaying the start of voting.We also noticed that some polling units lacked adequate security presence, which is unacceptable. Now, with the expansion to 13,325 polling units, we’ve prioritized this. We’ve engaged extensively with all security agencies. We’ve met with the Inspector General of Police in Abuja, and have secured the cooperation of the CP, DCPs, DSS, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Army. We’ve had seven security meetings, with another major one scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, and the final one on July 10, just two days before the elections.
We’ve also focused on riverine areas, where past logistics and accessibility issues were identified. We’ve taken deliberate steps to ensure improved access and delivery in these regions.
In terms of training and staffing, another challenge was that after elections, it became difficult to trace some ad-hoc staff who had served, especially during litigation. This time, we’ve created a more reliable system. We have on board Lagos State civil servants who are seconded to us as Assistant Electoral Officers, making it easier to reach them when needed, especially for legal processes.
We’re also recruiting around 45,000 ad-hoc staff, and we launched an online portal for applications. The process has been thorough, covering different categories of support staff needed for smooth elections.
In the past, the NYSC members performed exceptionally well, and we commended them. However, many moved on before we could reach them again, which made follow-up difficult. So, this time, we’ve balanced their involvement with the more stable addition of state personnel.
Do you have statistics on registered voters in Lagos State?
Yes. Lagos has a population of over 20 million, yet we currently have only about 7,060,195 registered voters. That’s significantly low compared to our population, and it highlights the root of voter apathy. This is why we started early with public sensitization, encouraging people to go out and register, because without registration, you can’t vote. Registration is the first step to participation in the democratic process.
Here is a refined and coherent version of your full transcript, edited for clarity, flow, grammar, and professionalism, while preserving the conversational tone and key messages:
Some believe political education is the responsibility of your agency or even organisations like UNICEF. How do you respond to that? Are you satisfied with the kind of political education political parties are offering?
First of all, how can anyone feel entitled to political education from LASIEC or UNICEF? The primary responsibility for political education rests with political parties. Still, we step in where necessary because we understand the importance of public awareness.
Now, are we satisfied with what political parties are doing in that regard? Honestly, we don’t know. We don’t work closely with them in that area. Our only direct interaction is when they come to purchase nomination forms—and even then, only the chairman or secretary of the party can do that. That’s the extent of our relationship. We intentionally maintain institutional independence. If we go beyond that, it becomes a conflict—we’d be strange bedfellows, and we can’t afford that.
That said, we’ve taken on the responsibility of sensitizing the public. We’ve told them, and we’ll continue telling them: this is not the kind of election where silence is golden. In this case, silence is dangerous. If you don’t come out to vote, you forfeit your right to complain. Participation is the only way to shape outcomes.
Local government elections often stir strong emotions and sometimes violence in specific areas. How are you working to prevent violence or thuggery in volatile locations like Ojo or Oshodi?
Thank you. Yes, we are aware of those areas—and not just Ojo and Oshodi. We’ve identified several “dark spots” (not black spots), and the police and security agencies are fully aware of them.
We’ve received strong assurances from the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, and other agencies that every polling unit will have at least one police officer present. In addition, we have operatives from the DSS, who will be undercover, and community-based personnel like the Neighborhood Watch.
We’re also working with the Air Force, Navy, and Army. Our voter education teams reinforce the message of peace at every stop. During our visits to the LGAs and LCDAs, their chairpersons pledged that no area under their jurisdiction will tolerate violence.
What do you hope to prove to women folk with this role?
You know, as lawyers, we’re used to being addressed as “My Lord” on the bench, regardless of gender. So I don’t focus much on the title itself.
However, in support of women’s participation in governance, LASIEC waived the nomination form fees for all female candidates. We want to encourage more women to run and participate without financial barriers.
As a judge, lawyer, and now electoral commissioner, what reforms have you introduced since assuming office?
We hit the ground running. Immediately after our appointment, we began familiarization visits to all 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs. Every member of the commission was involved. We assessed the conditions of the local offices and identified areas for improvement, such as inadequate storage facilities, which have now been addressed.
We also prioritized the welfare and training of our Electoral Officers (EOs). They’ve already undergone multiple rounds of training, and we even brought them in for medical examinations, with more scheduled before the election. We want every official to be fit and ready, both physically and mentally.
A major reform is the Neutrality Oath, a new legal requirement introduced on January 9, 2025. All our officials, from ad-hoc staff to commissioners, have taken this oath, pledging impartiality and accountability. Violations carry consequences. We’re also reintroducing the peace accord, which every political party must sign, committing to non-violence and lawful conduct during the election.
We’ve modernized our logistics: each EO and assistant EO has been issued phones and laptops to streamline their work and support real-time reporting. Our staff are also undergoing continued training, and yes, even commissioners like myself have attended capacity-building sessions, although we were thankfully spared from taking exams afterward!
What measures are in place to prevent misconduct by drivers and logistics staff during the election?
In the past, we had instances of drivers getting intoxicated, leading to accidents. This time, we’re taking strict precautions. From Wednesday to Sunday (the election period), drivers and logistics teams will be lodged on-site, eliminating the risk of travel-related mishaps or distractions. No alcohol, no commuting, just focus on the job.
How will the results be collated and announced?
The process will strictly follow legal procedures. Collation will begin at the polling unit level, then move to the ward level, and finally to the LGA collation centers, where the final results will be announced. Transparency and due process will guide every step.
What constraints have you faced in discharging your duties as Chairman of LASIEC?
The major challenge we faced was at the very beginning of our tenure. There had been a long gap between the last commission and our appointment. The previous commission exited in 2021, and we didn’t come on board until 2025, that’s a four-year vacuum.
As a result, a lot of groundwork had to be rebuilt. We came in with very little time to prepare, yet there are specific laws and guidelines that stipulate when we must release election timetables and initiate processes. So, we had to move quickly, jumping, hopping, leaping, to meet every timeline.
By the grace of God, we’ve been able to catch up. Now, here we are, fully ready and focused on July 12, which is election day. Only God knows what that day holds, but we are confident it will go smoothly.
How do you plan to incorporate technology into this election?
We are integrating technology in a practical and strategic way, mindful of the challenges in certain areas. While we recognize the value of tech in enhancing transparency and efficiency, we must also factor in on-ground realities. We’ve conducted assessments across various parts of Lagos, especially in rural and semi-rural areas, where electricity and connectivity can be unreliable. It’s not about lack of development or education, the residents are informed and engaged,but infrastructure like electricity and internet coverage varies across locations.
So, we’re applying technology where it is most effective and ensuring that where it’s limited, we have strong manual backup systems in place to guarantee the credibility of the process.
With the advent of artificial intelligence, what strategies do you have in place to forestall its potential misuse, especially concerning misinformation?
Thank you. Are you a mind reader? That’s actually one of the key reasons we’ve taken a proactive approach by conducting simulations across the board. Honestly, while development is welcome, every advancement, especially technological, comes with its risks. Some of the supposed advantages can be more dangerous than the disadvantages. These days, almost anyone can access sensitive information, like your bank details. That’s how vulnerable systems have become. Now, with AI, it’s even more concerning. We’ve seen instances where videos or voices appear completely real, yet the person in them never said a word of it.
Fortunately, our IT Commissioner, who just came in from the field, is fully involved. We work closely with our PRO and relevant stakeholders to tackle this. For example, we once woke up to a viral fake election timetable attributed to LASIEC. We had not released anything of the sort. Immediately, the PRO went into action and publicly debunked it. We clarified that it wasn’t our timetable and followed up with the correct one, officially released and verified.
This is the digital reality we live in. It’s part of the “development” inherited from the Western world, and we’re doing our best to manage it while educating our public.
We observed that as part of mobilizing stakeholders for the upcoming election, there seems to be a series of live stakeholder engagements scheduled from June through July. Could you tell us more about this initiative?
Yes, we’ve been actively mobilizing stakeholders ahead of the elections, especially throughout June and July. And we appreciate you in the media, you’ve supported us greatly.
As I said earlier, we’ve discovered that for effective voter education, visibility is key. In today’s world, if you’re not in a private car to spot billboards, then you’ll likely be in a commercial bus, either BRT or Danfo. We’ve ensured our voter education messages are everywhere, on buses, at motor parks, and even on radio jingles.
We’re also leveraging skits, the kind that resonates with the youth. We brought young people on board and gave them a voice because they often say we “don’t understand them.” So we listened, and they produced creative skits that are now widely circulated online. That way, more people, especially first-time voters, are getting engaged.
Some people have told me, “This is the first time I’m seeing voter education efforts at the local government level.” That’s a big deal. It means our message is reaching people who’ve never participated before.
What is your final word to the voter?
Our message is clear: “Your voice, your vote, is our mandate.”
We encourage everyone to go out and vote. Let your voice be heard.
