Lagos Local Government Elections: 139 Candidates Vie For 57 Chairmanship Seats.
Lagos State is gearing up for a fiercely contested local government election, with 139 from 10 political parties competing for 57 chairmanship positions across the state’s 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). Scheduled for 12 July 2025, the polls will also see 842 councillorship candidates from 14 parties vying for 376 ward seats, marking a significant moment for grassroots democracy in Nigeria’s commercial hub.
According to the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), 15 of the 19 political parties that initially expressed interest submitted candidate lists for the election. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is fielding candidates in all 57 councils and 376 wards, making it the only party with a full slate. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) follows with candidates in 45 councils and 259 wards, while the Labour Party (LP) is contesting 22 chairmanship and 130 councillorship positions. The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) has put forward six chairmanship and 21 councillorship candidates, reflecting the diverse political landscape in Lagos.
LASIEC Chairman, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (Rtd), announced that over six million registered voters are expected to participate in the election, which will utilise the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System for efficient and transparent voter verification. Voters will receive two ballot papers—one for the chairmanship and another for the councillorship—and will cast their votes privately using a thumbprint. The commission has also scheduled 19 July for any necessary rerun elections, ensuring a smooth process as the tenure of current council officials nears its end.
The election has sparked significant interest, with political parties intensifying campaigns to secure grassroots support. The APC, leveraging its dominance, has inaugurated a 40-member campaign council led by former State Chairman Babatunde Balogun to mobilise voters across Lagos. However, tensions have surfaced within the party, with some aspirants alleging attempts to impose candidates, particularly in areas like Ojokoro and Yaba LCDAs. Despite these challenges, the APC remains confident, with 55 of its 57 chairmanship candidates already selected through primaries, though issues in Yaba and Mainland LCDAs delayed some outcomes.
Opposition parties, including the PDP and ZLP, have raised concerns about the screening process, alleging delays and stringent requirements that could disadvantage their candidates. Adebayo Alade, a PDP chairmanship candidate for Kosofe, described spending days at LASIEC without progress, while ZLP’s Deputy State Chairman, Edide Yonwuren, called for a more streamlined process. LASIEC, in response, maintained that screening began on 26 June, as per its timetable, and is conducted in line with the Lagos State Independent Electoral Law, 2008.
The Labour Party, led by the Julius Abure faction, has fielded 26 chairmanship candidates following primaries across 26 councils, strategically opting not to contest in 30 others. LASIEC noted the existence of three LP factions in Lagos, with only one inviting the commission to monitor its primaries, prompting a request for clarification from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Despite these challenges, the Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has assured residents of robust security before, during, and after the polls, with full deployment and collaboration with other agencies to ensure a peaceful process. Political observers view the election as a critical test for Lagos’ political structure, potentially shaping alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As Lagosians prepare to cast their votes, the election underscores the vibrancy of local democracy. From Agege to Epe, the choices made at the polls will determine the leadership of Lagos’ councils, shaping governance at the grassroots level. With a transparent and peaceful process, LASIEC aims to ensure that the will of the people prevails, strengthening the democratic fabric of the Centre of Excellence.
