“For democracy to work, the people must be empowered to participate in the process, and the process must be transparent, credible, and free from manipulation.”
Pat Utomi
(Nigerian Professor of Political Economy)
Dear {{First name|Active Citizen}},
This Saturday, July 12, Lagosians will go to the polls to elect their Local Government Chairmen and Councillors. Local government is the closest arm of government to the people, and elections at this level should reflect the highest standards of democratic accountability. Unfortunately, what we’ve seen from the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) falls far below this mark.
Since the 2025 election cycle began, we have actively engaged LASIEC, calling for transparency, legal compliance, and proper voter education. We’ve sent formal letters requesting the release of election guidelines and timelines. We’ve also worked with Yiaga Africa to publicly raise concerns over the legality of the July 12 election date - a date that appears to contradict Sections 103 and 150 of the Electoral Act 2022.
But that’s just the beginning.
On July 8, just four days to the elections, LASIEC’s Chairman appeared on ChannelsTV and attempted to explain the Commission’s readiness. What she revealed and what she couldn’t only deepened our concerns. While LASIEC claims to have engaged in robust voter education across the state, our own interactions and observations tell a different story. Citizens who called in on our radio shows were surprised to hear that elections were around the corner. Many of them thanked us for providing the kind of information they expected from LASIEC.
Even more troubling is LASIEC’s lack of transparency. The final list of validated candidates was released barely four days to the polls and not on the Commission’s website or social media pages, but physically at their office in Yaba. In 2025, this is not just inefficient, it’s a deliberate barrier to access. How can citizens make informed choices when basic information is hidden in plain sight?
Perhaps most concerning is the issue of representation. In areas like Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, residents may be allowed to vote for the Chairman of the LCDA, but will they also vote for the federally recognised Eti-Osa Local Government Chairman, who receives the funds from the local government which includes Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA? This is a constitutional issue with implications for democratic representation, and yet LASIEC has offered no clarity on how it intends to handle it. Will residents get two ballot papers? Or are they being cut out of their rightful vote?
These lapses in communication, transparency, legality, and preparation cast a long shadow over the credibility of Saturday’s elections. And yet, the process must go on.
To every Lagosian reading this: we know you’re frustrated. But disengagement is exactly what broken systems rely on. The only way to hold LASIEC accountable is to participate, vote, and demand better. It is through our active engagement even when the odds are stacked against us that we remind institutions of who holds the real power: the people.
So, show up. Cast your vote. Stay alert. Stay informed. And together, let’s keep the pressure on LASIEC and every public institution that fails to meet its obligation to citizens.
Eko oni baje! O baje ti!
Read our full statement here.
Our Voice in Nigeria’s Constitutional Future
We’ve submitted our memorandum to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, outlining our position on the ongoing 2025 constitutional amendments.
Our submission addresses critical issues affecting Nigeria’s democratic development and governance structures. We believe constitutional reform must reflect the aspirations of all Nigerians and strengthen our democratic institutions.
Read our full submission and join the Twitter Space tomorrow at 5pm.
Stay safe this weekend!
The EiE Nigeria Team.