Conduct LG poll transparently, ADC warns LASIEC
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned the Lagos State Independent Election Commission (LASIEC) to conduct the 2025 Lagos Local Government election with transparency and impartiality.
ADC also explained that the party is fielding candidates in the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Saturday’s local government council election in Lagos State, saying it is complying with a Supreme Court judgment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lagos State Independent Election Commission(LASIEC) is conducting elections in the 20 LGAs and 37 local council development in the state.
NAN also reports that 15 out of 18 political parties are participating in the ongoing local government election.
A document obtained from LASIEC shows that only 15 of the 19 political parties that initially expressed interest in the elections submitted candidate lists ahead of the poll.
The Lagos State Chairman of ADC, Mr. George Ashiru, explained that the party’s decision to field candidates in the 20 local government council areas was guided by the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy delivered in 2024.
He said that the judgment reaffirmed the constitutional recognition of 774 LGAs across Nigeria, including the 20 in Lagos.
“In line with the Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy, we chose to focus our campaigns and field candidates only in the 20 constitutionally recognised local government areas,” Ashiru said.
He noted that the ADC remained committed to upholding the rule of law and constitutional provisions in its political activities.
“In the beginning, we were against participation, but our members and aspirants insisted on participating, especially those who felt that they had strength in some areas.
“The party chose to abide by the constitution and focus our participation on the recognised councils,” he said.
“At the end of this election, people will rate the commission because, ideally, parties win in their areas of strength,” he added.
NAN reports that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) remains the most represented party in the contest, fielding candidates in all 57 local councils and 376 wards.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) followed with candidates contesting in 45 councils and 259 wards.
The Labour Party presented 22 chairmanship and 130 councillorship candidates, while the Zenith Labour Party has six chairmanship and 21 councillorship candidates.
Other political parties with approved candidates, as listed by LASIEC, include: Accord; African Action Alliance (AAA); Allied People’s Movement (APM); and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Others were, Social Democratic Party (SDP); National Rescue Movement (NRM); Young Progressives Party (YPP); Youth Party (YP); Action Peoples Party (APP); and the ADC.
Heavy security presence at LASIEC headquarters
Meanwhile, the headquarters of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) in Yaba witnessed tight security on Saturday as the state conducted its local government election.
A NAN political correspondent at the LASIEC office reported a strong presence of security personnel, including police officers stationed at the premises.
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) were also present, positioned in their respective operational vans.
Vehicular movement on the street leading to the LASIEC office was restricted, with roadblocks mounted at both ends to control access and ensure order.
Elsewhere in Badagry, similar security measures were observed, with personnel from the Nigeria Police, NSCDC, and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) deployed to maintain peace and order.
NAN reports that the LASIEC is conducting elections in 20 constitutionally recognised local government areas (LGAs) and 37 local council development areas.
The election is currently underway across the 57 council areas and 376 electoral wards in the state.
Why we didn’t close border – Immigration
But even with the statewide restriction of movement, the country’s borders with neighbouring countries remained open.
Giving reason for the open border, Comptroller Absullahi Adamu, Nigeria Immigration Service, Seme Border Command, said it did not receive any directives to close the border over the Lagos State council election.
Adamu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Seme on Saturday that the border is an international one under the exclusive list.
According to Adamu, we have not received any letter from Lagos State Government or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the election.
“Closing of an international border should come from higher authority.
“There is no information regarding restriction of movement till 3.00.p.m, so our status quo remains.”
According to him, the border cannot be closed against people coming into the country but we can only advise them to wait till 3:00 p.m. after stamping them in before leaving the border.
Adamu said that foreigners coming into the country through the border would be urged to hang around somewhere, after stamping their passports till 3.00.p.m before leaving the border.
He, however, said the command would act accordingly if they receive order to restrict movement.
NAN
