The Lagos Local Government Elections: A Contested Outcome
The July 22nd, 2023, Local Government Elections in Lagos State have been met with significant controversy, with several opposition parties vehemently rejecting the declared results and calling for the election’s outright cancellation. Parties including the Labour Party (LP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), African Action Congress (AAC), Action People’s Congress (APC), and the Accord Party have jointly denounced the election, citing widespread irregularities, disenfranchisement of candidates, and a process they describe as a “premeditated charade” orchestrated by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC). They accuse LASIEC of bias and acting as a participant rather than a neutral arbiter, thereby undermining the democratic process.
The opposition parties have highlighted numerous issues that they believe invalidate the election results. These include the absence of essential voting materials such as ballot papers, result sheets, and even ballot boxes in several local government areas. The omission of party logos, specifically those of the YPP, APP, and LP, from ballots in certain areas further fueled their allegations of manipulation. The parties also allege that over 100 of their candidates were disenfranchised due to LASIEC’s rigid and opaque processes, including a convoluted and restrictive timetable for nomination forms, many of which were allegedly never retrieved by LASIEC despite payment.
The opposition’s claims extend beyond logistical issues to include accusations of voter suppression and manipulation. They cite instances of polling units being secretly relocated, ballot box snatching, and the use of voter registers containing names and pictures that did not correspond with the eligible voters in those areas. The parties allege that LASIEC’s refusal to allow stakeholders to monitor the distribution of sensitive materials, coupled with the late distribution of agent tags, further compromised the integrity of the election. They also claim that their appeals to LASIEC, the governor, the State House of Assembly, the Commissioner of Police, and the Department of State Security went unheeded, demonstrating a blatant disregard for due process and accountability.
The parties point to the declared results, where the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) won all 57 chairmanship seats and 375 out of 376 councillorship seats, as further evidence of the election’s lack of credibility. They argue that LASIEC declared winners without presenting verifiable results, raising suspicions of fabricated outcomes. They demand that LASIEC make the results publicly available for scrutiny and verification, a demand they believe will expose the extent of the alleged manipulation.
The opposition parties maintain that their decision to challenge the election results is driven by a commitment to upholding democratic principles and ensuring that the will of the people of Lagos is respected. They express their determination to pursue all available legal and constitutional avenues to contest what they term “electoral robbery.” Their actions underscore the growing concerns about the transparency and fairness of electoral processes in Nigeria and the need for robust mechanisms to ensure accountability and prevent manipulation.
The opposition parties have vowed to compile comprehensive evidence of the alleged irregularities and present it to the appropriate legal bodies. They have expressed their lack of confidence in LASIEC’s impartiality and have signaled their intention to approach the election tribunal and courts to seek redress. Their call for the cancellation of the election results represents a significant challenge to the legitimacy of the local government leadership in Lagos and raises questions about the overall electoral landscape in the state.
The APC, on the other hand, has celebrated the results as a reflection of the residents’ will and thanked the electorate for their support. This contrasting perspective highlights the deep political divisions in Lagos and sets the stage for a potentially protracted legal battle over the legitimacy of the local government elections. The outcome of this legal challenge will have significant implications for the future of local governance in Lagos and could potentially influence broader discussions about electoral reform in Nigeria.
