As the political heart of Nigeria pulses with anticipation, Lagos State prepares for its Local Government and Local Council Development Area (LCDA) elections this Saturday, July 12, 2025. With 57 council chairmen and 376 councillors to be elected across 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs, the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has taken center stage—not only as the umpire of the process, but as a proactive partner in strengthening democratic participation and civic trust.
At the forefront of this civic exercise is retired Justice Bolanle Okikiolu-Ighile, LASIEC Chairman, whose recent press briefing painted a picture of meticulous preparation, strategic reform, and an inclusive vision for the electoral process. With over 6.2 million Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected out of 7 million registered voters, and 13,325 polling units activated across the state, the upcoming election is set to be one of the most extensive grassroots exercises in the nation’s democratic calendar.
These vulnerable groups citizens, nursing mothers, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities will be given special priority at polling stations, as part of LASIEC’s renewed focus on democratic equity.
For a state as diverse and densely populated as Lagos, the challenge of organizing credible elections at the local level goes beyond logistics. It’s about rebuilding voter confidence, tackling voter apathy, and ensuring that every segment of society feels heard and included.
This is why LASIEC has gone beyond traditional election management by leading state-wide stakeholder engagements. Meetings with civil society groups, political parties, traditional rulers, market women, religious leaders, and media professionals have fostered open dialogue and joint ownership of the democratic process.
“We visited all LASIEC area offices and held strategic meetings across the five divisions—Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, and Epe—to assess readiness and ensure uniformity in operations,” the LASIEC boss stated.
15 Political Parties, One Goal: Grassroots Governance
With 15 registered political parties contesting in Saturday’s polls, the stakes are high. While state and national elections often draw more media attention, it is at the local government level that the everyday lives of citizens are most directly impacted.
From sanitation and market regulation to primary education, roads, and healthcare delivery, the elected councillors and chairmen will shape development decisions in communities across Lagos.
And LASIEC is not leaving anything to chance. According to Justice Okikiolu-Ighile, non-sensitive materials have been fully deployed, while sensitive materials will be transported under tight security coordination. The Commission has also trained its ad-hoc and permanent staff, drawing lessons from previous elections to improve operational delivery.
Recognizing the influential role of the media, Akin Oluwo, LASIEC Commissioner for Media and Publicity, appealed to journalists to exercise professionalism and responsibility in reporting election-related events.
“The media is a critical stakeholder. We urge you to verify information, avoid sensationalism, and work with LASIEC to promote peace and voter education,” Oluwo said.
In tandem, security agencies have been mobilized across the state to safeguard lives and electoral materials, ensuring voters can cast their ballots in a safe and peaceful environment.
As Lagosians count down to election day, the narrative is evolving. The conversation is no longer just about turnout, but about trust, reform, and accountability at the grassroots level.
In a democracy often dominated by national headlines, LASIEC’s strategy is reminding Nigerians that democratic credibility starts in the ward, in the council, and in the community. And for the nearly 6.2 million eligible voters, this is an opportunity to shape their neighborhoods and redefine leadership from the ground up.
Whether the exercise will live up to expectations remains to be seen. But for now, Lagos is ready—and watching.
