Lagos LG Elections: Low Turnout, Delays Raise Concerns Over Transparency

Local government elections in Lagos State got off to a slow start on Saturday, with the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) deploying officials to polling units as early as 7:59 a.m.

In some places, like Units 006 and 007 at St. Stephen School on Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos Island where Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is registered to vote, materials were in place and activities started on time. Unit 006 has 634 registered voters, while Unit 007 has 667. Similarly, in PU 008, Ward F, Iyalla, Ikeja, officials were seen setting up early.

However, this wasn’t the case everywhere. Areas like Alimosho and Agege reported low voter turnout and delays in the distribution of election materials. In Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, presiding officers faced transportation challenges due to a shortage of vehicles. At Alausa PU22, LASIEC officials arrived late at 8:20 a.m., blaming logistical hiccups and sorting issues.

Accreditation began at Elizabeth Fowler Memorial High School in Surulere PU 014 where Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, was expected to vote but with sparse voter presence. A memorable moment occurred at PU 17 in Small London, Surulere, where a physically challenged woman voted and described the process as “seamless,” urging other persons with disabilities to exercise their civic rights.

The elections span 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas, with 15 political parties contesting, according to LASIEC. “No political party was barred,” LASIEC Chair, Justice Omobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile, affirmed. Yet concerns about transparency persist. Civic group Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE) raised alarm over LASIEC’s preparedness, criticizing the late release of the final candidate list just two days before the election and flagged poor voter education and operational clarity.

Logistics were still underway at the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government headquarters by midday, with ad-hoc staff deploying materials across Oriade and 14 LCDAs. Security was heightened following a directive from the Lagos Police Command, which restricted vehicular movement from 6:00 a.m. Traffic congestion was reported in areas like Berger, where commuters were stranded as roads were blocked.

Meanwhile, in places like Jubril Martins Street, Surulere, signs of voter apathy were apparent with young people playing football instead of participating in the elections. APC party agents dominated most polling units, while opposition presence was visibly lacking by mid-morning. By 10:35 a.m., popular socialite Sam Larry (Balogun Eletu) arrived at the Adeniji Adele polling unit with a group of youths.

While the day remained largely peaceful, the credibility and logistics of the electoral process continue to be questioned, with civil society groups and observers closely monitoring proceedings.