The chairperson of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Justice Mobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile, says no political party is restricted from participating in the local government election coming up in the state on Saturday, July 12, 2025.
Justice Okikiolu-Ighile refuted the claim that the Labour Party was barred from the election over its internal crisis that has balkanized the party into factions.
The state electoral chairperson clarified that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) only recognised the Labour Party group led by Dayo Ekong.
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“We have 15 (court cases). The court has not restrained anyone (political party),” Justice Okikiolu-Ighile said.
“They have about four factions in the Labour Party. We approached INEC and INEC gave us the faction that we should interact with — the one headed by Pastor Dayo Ekong. We have a letter given to us by INEC (to that effect).”
The LASIEC boss acknowledged that there are cases challenging the conduct of the election in court but said there is nothing stopping the exercise.
“It’s in court but nothing has stopped us from conducting this election,” she said when asked about the claim that the date of the election is less than the prescribed 30 days after the expiration of the tenure of those currently in office.
She insisted that no law said that elections should not be conducted in the 37 Local Council Development Areas in the state.
Justice Okikiolu-Ighile confirmed that LASIEC will not use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during the election but said that “there are some electronics that we are going to use in between. We can also use manual.”
She acknowledged that low voter turnout has traditionally plagued local council elections nationwide but expressed optimism that the commission’s outreach efforts and growing public trust would lead to increased participation this time.
