- 139 candidates fight for 57 chairmanship seats
- 842 slug it out for 376 councillorship positions
- Security beefed up, vehicular movement restricted
- Chief Judge inaugurates election petition tribunals
Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged all eligible voters across the state to go out in large numbers to participate in the local government elections holding across the state today.
The governor, in a statement personally signed by him, said the election offers Lagosians an opportunity to shape the leadership of their local councils by voting for chairmen and councilors who will represent their interests and drive development at the community level.
His words: “This election is not just a constitutional process; it is a powerful expression of your voice and your civic responsibility; it is your right. I urge every registered voter to go out peacefully tomorrow, cast your vote, and be a part of the democratic process that strengthens our communities and our state.”
To ensure a safe, orderly, and credible election, Gov Sanwo-Olu said he has directed that security agencies be strategically deployed across all polling units and communities, adding that law enforcement officials will be present to protect voters, electoral officials, and election materials.
“The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has assured me that they are ready for the election.
I urge all political stakeholders, party agents, and candidates to conduct themselves with decorum, and to uphold the principles of peace, fairness, and respect for the rule of law throughout the election.”
No fewer than 139 candidates across 10 political parties are contesting to fill the 57 council chairmen seats in the election.
Also, 842 councillorship candidates from 14 political parties will be battling for 376 legislative seats during the election.
In all, 15 out of 19 political parties that showed interest in the poll submitted names of their candidates for the election.
A document obtained from the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) yesterday showed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is the only political party fielding candidates in all chairmanship and councillorship seats across the 57 councils and 376 wards.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) followed with contestants in 45 local councils and 259 wards.
The Labour Party (LP) fielded 22 chairmanship and 130 councillorship candidates, while the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) has six chairmanship candidates and 21 councillorship candidates.
Other parties that scaled through the registration of candidates’ deadline released in LASIEC guidelines for the election are Accord; African Action Congress (AAC); Action Alliance (AA); Allied People’s Movement (APM); All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Social Democratic party (SDP); National Rescue Movement (NRM); Young Progressive party (YPP); Youth Party (YP); Action Peoples Party (APP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Meanwhile, LASIEC Chairman, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (Rtd), on Thursday said over six million Lagosians are to elect 57 council chairmen and 376 councillors in the local government election.
Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile said the election would be held in all the 13,325 polling units across the state.
“The total number of registered voters stands at 7,060,195. The number of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) collected is 6,214,970 while the number of PVCs uncollected is 845,225.
She expressed optimism that the commission is fully prepared to conduct a peaceful, fair and transparent Local Government election.
She stated that the distribution of sensitive materials to all councils would be done a day before the election in the presence of security agencies and agents of political parties to ensure security and transparency.
According to her, non-sensitive materials had already been deployed.
Justice Okikiolu-Ighile informed the gathering that councillorship results would be collated at the ward collation centres while the chairmanship results would be collated at the local government collation centres.
“The commission is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a successful, free, fair and credible election that is devoid of violence, intimidation, or harassment. My appeal to all the contestants is to uphold democratic values and conduct themselves with decorum, maturity, and respect for the rule of law. The commission remains non-partisan and will not condone any form of electoral malpractice or violence,” she said.
She appealed to journalists to ensure unbiased and balance reportage of the exercise.
Chief Judge inaugurates election petition tribunals
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, yesterday inaugurated two panels of the Local Government Election Appeal Tribunal to adjudicate on petitions that would arise from the council elections. .
The election petition tribunals would sit in Lagos Island and Ikeja.
Each tribunal comprises four Chief Magistrates and chaired by respected retired High Court Judges.
Justice Taofikat Oyinkan-Abdullahi (rtd) will head the Lagos Island Panel, which also includes Chief Magistrates Micheal Olubi, Olaitan Ajayi, Salamah Matepo, and Hotepo Lazarus.
The Ikeja Panel is chaired by Justice Sherifat Solebo (rtd) and comprises Chief Magistrates Davies Rasak, Oluwatosin Fowowe-Erusiafe, Adepeju Odusanya, and Lynda Balogun.
Inaugurating the tribunals, at the Ikeja High Court Conference Room, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba said that the panels would receive petitions from today’s election within 21 days and complete adjudication within 45 days.
Justice Alogba charged the tribunal members to discharge their duties with utmost integrity, fairness, and fidelity to the law.
Justice Alogba specifically drew the panel’s attention to the 2016 Amendment of the Lagos State Local Government Law, particularly as it relates to the time frame for determining election petitions.
He emphasized “any decision or action taken outside the legally prescribed time limit is a nullity and of no legal effect.”
He urged the members to remain guided by the principles of law and evidence, reminding them that the success of the election dispute resolution process depends heavily on their impartiality and professionalism.
“You must act strictly within the purview of the law. The confidence I have in your character, experience, and sense of judgment informed your appointment. I urge you to uphold justice without fear or favour, and resist all forms of bias or intimidation,” Alogba stated.
Also addressing the panel members, the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN) described their appointment as a call to service in defence of democracy and the rule of law.
“This is not just a legal duty, but a moral obligation to the state and humanity.
“You are expected to ensure credibility in the electoral process by eliminating any perception that the courts are used to determine winners outside the will of the people,” Pedro said.
The panels are expected to commence sittings immediately following the conclusion of the local government elections.
Responding on behalf of the panel members, Justice Oyinkan-Abdullahi expressed gratitude for the trust placed in them.
Oyekan-Abdullai said they hadalso have accepted their appointment as a service to the nation by the dictate of their oath.
“Trust is very uncommon these days.That you have reposed so much trust in us means a lot, and we will not disappoint you”, she assured.
Police deploy air assets, special forces
The Lagos State Police Command says it has deployed air assets for surveillance and rapid response ahead of the election.
The Commissioner of Police, (CP) Olohundare Jimoh disclosed this yesterday evening.
He said the command also deployed special forces including Police Mobile Force (PMF) squadrons, Explosives Ordnance Disposal units, Special Intervention Squad (SIS), Marine Police, Eko Strike Force (ESF) and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) who would station at close radius to each polling units in case of any eventuality.
His words: “We have already deployed air assets. Equally, marine operatives for this election. Fortunately, the police hangar is here in Lagos. They have been going round for surveillance and will be involved in this election. Also, our waterways have been properly policed. We have put measures in place for adequate security and to ensure things go well.
“There has not been any flash of incidents of violence anywhere throughout the state…We will not tolerate overzealousness and over-dramatization from any group. Nobody will be allowed to take us into his hands.”
The CP said the restriction of vehicular movement was in the utmost public interest, adding that it would ensure that nobody conveys prohibited firearms, objects or things that could cause harm anywhere in the state.
Addressing the operatives, CP Jimoh charged them on professionalism, warning that they should not allow miscreants and hoodlums to hijack the exercise.
“We should be very professional, polite and firm. We should be strict in carrying out our responsibility. This is to ensure that there is safety everywhere across Lagos state.
“As residents go out to vote, they should go without fear or apprehension. They should not be afraid that they will be attacked or that anybody will snatch ballot boxes or cause disturbance of public peace. Is that clear?” He stressed, assuring them that their welfare would be adequately sorted out.
“You shouldn’t be afraid that your welfare will not be taken care of. No, your welfare will be taken care of properly and directly. So you go out there and make us proud,” he added.
The police boss reminded them of their roles as provided by the guidelines on election security, reiterating the need to adhere to best practices.
“This is not the first time we are coming for election duty and this will not be the last time. This will not be an exception in giving the maximum and ultimate performance in ensuring that the election is secured, safe.
“So, I welcome you to the Lagos State Police Command. There are a lot of expectations on us as the lead agency for internal security. We have put a lot of resources into this planning for the security of the election.
“In terms of material resources, in terms of time for lectures and meetings and in terms of deployments. The Inspector General of Police equally provided us with all the equipment that we needed to ensure adequate security for this election. He gave us additional four armored personnel carriers to ensure we protect ourselves while deterring criminals so that we don’t suffer bodily harm.
“He has equally provided us with water cannons so that if there is any disturbance anywhere we can promptly put it under control….
“I want you to shun any act of indiscipline, shun any act of corruption. Don’t allow anybody to embarrass you with issues of corruption. I know very well we are professional officers, we are not corrupt and we make sure that we do as is expected of us to make the Nigeria Police Force and the IGP very proud,” he concluded.
Akiolu to politicians: play by the rules
The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu has appealed to political parties contesting in today’s Lagos State council election to ‘play the game of politics according to the rules’ by ensuring the election is peaceful and devoid of any forms of violence.
Akiolu spoke on Thursday at his Idunganran palace, Lagos Island when he hosted representatives of the C & S Unification of Nigeria, who paid him a visit to intimate him of the forthcoming centenary celebration of the church in Nigeria.
Speaking on the council election, Akiolu urged electorates, candidates and parties to be calm and vote for candidates of their choice irrespective of party affiliations.
“My special appeal to all residents in Lagos irrespective of party alleviation is to be calm and play the game according to the rules. Politicians do not quarrel, they only disagree. If one party has something profitable for the people, they should meet with other parties and iron it out,” Akiolu said.
“For a very long time, we have been enjoying peaceful coexistence in Lagos State. We noticed from the first civilian government of Lateef Jakande to Bola Tinubu as governor, even during the military leaders in Lagos, they all did well and Lagos has been progressing.
At this particular time, we have the President, the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the governor of CBN. I appeal to the traders not to look for excessive profits. They should not put high prices on their goods. The naira is stabilizing and I have the belief that God will help the country,” he added.
The leader of the delegation that visited him, Archbishop Apanisile Olufemi who is also the Coordinator of Holy Mount Sinai Conference Worldwide said the church founded in 1925 in Lagos Island clocked 100 years this year and they find it necessary to carry Oba Akiolu along in their preparation.
He said the church is praying for the election to be peaceful, and urged the people ‘to obey the rule of law and do everything with contentment.’
