The political landscape of Lagos State is heating up as the July 12 local government elections draw near, with a contentious issue emerging regarding the nomination form fees set by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC). The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), an umbrella body representing various political parties in the state, has expressed strong disapproval of the N150,000 fee for chairmanship aspirants, accusing LASIEC of backtracking on a previous agreement. The discord centers around allegations that LASIEC, after consultations with IPAC, had indicated a potential reduction or complete waiver of the fees, only to subsequently announce an increase. This has fueled accusations of a breach of trust and a lack of transparency in the electoral process, casting a shadow over the upcoming elections.
The heart of the dispute lies in the conflicting accounts of what transpired during the consultative meeting between IPAC and the LASIEC Chairperson, Justice Mobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile (retd.). IPAC maintains that during the meeting, a consensus was reached to either reduce the nomination fees by 50% or waive them entirely. This understanding, according to IPAC, was based on the prevailing economic climate and the need to encourage wider participation in the electoral process. However, LASIEC’s subsequent announcement of a N150,000 fee for chairmanship aspirants, N75,000 for vice-chairmanship aspirants, and N50,000 for councillorship aspirants directly contradicted IPAC’s account, creating a rift between the electoral body and the political parties. This disconnect has raised concerns about the fairness and inclusivity of the electoral process, with fears that the high fees could potentially disenfranchise smaller parties and independent candidates.
Adding to the complexity of the situation is the perceived shift in LASIEC’s stance. IPAC Chairperson, Temilola Akinade, recounted instances where Justice Okikiolu-Ighile had expressed regret over the lack of prior consultation and pledged greater engagement with political parties in the future. This apparent commitment to collaboration further amplifies the disappointment felt by IPAC regarding the eventual decision on nomination fees. The seeming contradiction between the promised inclusivity and the subsequent imposition of what many consider exorbitant fees has sown seeds of distrust, jeopardizing the smooth conduct of the electoral process. This perceived breach of trust has left many questioning the sincerity of LASIEC’s commitment to fostering a level playing field for all participants in the upcoming local government elections.
While the controversy surrounding the nomination fees continues to simmer, LASIEC has sought to mitigate some of the criticism by exempting female candidates and persons living with disabilities from paying any administrative fees. This move, while welcomed by some as a step towards greater inclusivity, has done little to quell the broader discontent regarding the overall cost of participation in the elections. The waiver for specific demographic groups, while commendable, does not address the fundamental concern of high fees acting as a barrier to entry for many aspiring candidates. For a significant portion of the political landscape, the high nomination fees remain a significant obstacle, potentially limiting the diversity of voices and perspectives in local governance.
Further complicating matters is the rapidly approaching deadline for the submission of nomination forms, set for May 22, 2025. This tight timeframe adds pressure on political parties and aspiring candidates, particularly those struggling to meet the financial demands of the nomination process. The impending deadline raises concerns about potential logistical challenges and the possibility of qualified candidates being excluded due to financial constraints. With the clock ticking, the pressure on political parties to navigate the complexities of the nomination process is mounting, adding another layer of difficulty to an already contentious electoral landscape.
As the election date looms, the dispute over nomination fees remains a significant point of contention, threatening the smooth and transparent conduct of the local government elections in Lagos State. The allegations of broken promises and a lack of transparency leveled against LASIEC have created an atmosphere of distrust, potentially undermining the credibility of the electoral process. Moving forward, addressing these concerns and fostering open dialogue between the electoral body and political parties will be crucial to ensuring a fair and inclusive election that truly reflects the will of the people. The challenge now is to rebuild trust and ensure that the electoral process is accessible to all, fostering a vibrant and representative local government system in Lagos State.
