“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 Active Citizen,

On April 12, the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) announced that local government elections will hold on Saturday, July 12, 2025. While LASIEC complied with Section 21(1) of the LASIEC Law (2008, as amended in 2016) - which mandates that a notice of election be issued at least 90 days before election day - there’s a much bigger legal issue at stake.

Enter the Electoral Act, 2022 - a federal law that overrides state laws on electoral matters.

What does the Electoral Act say?

1. Section 150 of the Electoral Act 2022: All State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) must conduct local government elections using the same procedures as the FCT Area Council elections.

2. Section 103(3) of the same Act: Elections must hold not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the current officials’ tenure.

In Lagos, the current LGA Chairmen and Councillors were sworn in on July 27, 2021. Their four-year tenure ends July 27, 2025. So legally, elections should be held between February 25 and June 25, 2025. But LASIEC picked July 12 - 13 days outside the legal window set by federal law.
That makes the legality of the entire process questionable.

That’s not all.
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) - the umbrella body for all 19 registered political parties in Lagos - says LASIEC:

1. Did not consult political parties before releasing election guidelines.

2. Kept quiet about a new LASIEC law signed on January 10, 2025, which empowers it to conduct elections in 57 LG/LCDAs.

3. Hasn’t made the new law public, and political parties have not received official copies.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has ruled that local government autonomy is guaranteed by the Constitution - so questions remain about the legal status of LCDAs, which are not recognized in the 1999 Constitution.

So what needs to happen?
We’re calling on LASIEC, the Lagos State Government, and other key stakeholders to:

1. Review and revise the election date to comply with Sections 103(3) and 150 of the Electoral Act 2022. The law is clear, and elections must happen within the stipulated timeframe.

2. Make the revised LASIEC Law public immediately. A law that governs public elections should not be kept away from the public and stakeholders. Transparency is non-negotiable.

3.  Clarify the legal standing of the 37 LCDAs in light of the Supreme Court’s pronouncements on local government autonomy. The public deserves clarity on what is legal and what isn’t.

4. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who appointed the current LASIEC board, must ensure that the Commission fulfills its constitutional duties in a transparent and lawful manner.

5. LASIEC must actively engage political parties, civil society, and citizens. Elections are a shared civic exercise, not a closed-door event. We also encourage all stakeholders to speak up and participate.

Local elections matter. If they’re illegal or non-inclusive, democracy at the grassroots suffers. Lagos is the latest flashpoint but the implications are national.

Read our full joint statement with Yiaga Africa here.

Opportunities

Support Our Work!

Civic Education, Active Citizenship, and Accountability are at the heart of everything we do. By donating, you're helping us provide communities with the tools they need to make their voices heard and demand better governance.

Your donation makes an impact—be a part of the solution today.

Join Our WhatsApp Channel for Civic Engagement!

Join our WhatsApp Channel by clicking here and be part of a community that believes in making a difference!

Have a great weekend!
The EiE Nigeria Team.