Pius Nsabe
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described the ongoing local government elections across the state as peaceful and well-organised, even as a former Deputy Governor, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, raised concerns over alleged irregularities and voter disenfranchisement.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, accompanied by his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, cast his vote at exactly 11:10 a.m. at Polling Unit 006, Ward E3, St. Stephen’s, Adeniji Adele, Lagos Island. Speaking to journalists shortly after voting, the governor praised the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) for the orderly conduct of the exercise.
“As you can see, everything is okay here,” he said. “Apart from the fact that it’s a heavily populated area, everything is going on well. You can see that the atmosphere is peaceful, and all party agents are on ground.”
Sanwo-Olu acknowledged early morning transportation delays but commended LASIEC officials and ad-hoc staff for timely deployment of electoral materials. “The beauty of it is all the officers, LASIEC ad-hoc staff, are on ground with all the necessary materials. We are also glad that the weather has been peaceful,” he added.
He encouraged residents to exercise their civic duty, emphasising the importance of local governance. “The grassroots is critical; the councillors and chairmen are as important as other arms of government,” he said, while also commending the media for providing extensive coverage of the polls.
However, earlier in the day, former Lagos Deputy Governor, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, raised alarm over alleged manipulation of the electoral process, calling for an outright cancellation of the election.
In an on-the-spot interview with Nigeria Info, Bucknor-Akerele claimed she was unable to vote after discovering her name was missing from the voters’ register at her polling unit.
“I have been to my own unit, my name is not there,” she said. She also alleged that polling units were relocated without adequate notice. “There are units supposed to be in front of the Eko Hotel. They have brought them here to Ajose Adeogun.”
She accused LASIEC of orchestrating what she described as a scheme to rig the elections. “There is a clear effort to rig the election in favour of one party. Many people are not able to vote because they have completely disrupted all the polling units,” she alleged.
Bucknor-Akerele, who served as deputy governor between 1999 and 2003, said the electoral irregularities amounted to voter suppression and called on LASIEC to cancel the exercise.
Reports from other parts of Lagos confirmed isolated incidents of logistical challenges. In Ojodu, voters complained of the absence of electoral officials during early hours, while in Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, LASIEC officials cited low turnout and voter confusion due to insufficient communication.
While there was no immediate response from LASIEC regarding the allegations, the Lagos State Police Command reported no major security breaches during the polls.
The local government elections are being held across the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs) of Lagos State. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is contesting against candidates from various opposition parties.
Observers have long raised concerns over the credibility of local government elections in Nigeria, often citing limited transparency, poor voter education, and lack of electoral independence at the state level.
As collation of results gets underway, attention will turn to LASIEC and state authorities to address the allegations and reassure the public of the integrity of the electoral process.