• NNPP plans to select candidates by consensus
• Group condemns protests, chaos trailing APC’s primary election
• LASIEC’s process raises legal, procedural, transparency concerns, say groups
Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), yesterday, said that three different factions of the Labour Party (LP) in the state had agreed to participate in the upcoming council elections.
Chairman of LASIEC, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (rtd), who disclosed this during a stakeholders’ forum held in Ikeja, said that the three factions had invited LASIEC to observe their respective primaries ahead of the elections.
She, however, said that LASIEC did not honour the invitations due to the perceived divisions within the party.
The LASIEC boss further explained that the electoral body is currently awaiting guidance from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to determine the appropriate steps to take concerning the Labour Party’s participation in the polls.
RELATEDLY, the Lagos State chapter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has announced that it will adopt a consensus method in selecting its candidates for the forthcoming elections.
The party’s state Publicity Secretary, Richard Benson, who stated this, yesterday, said: “We are adopting the consensus approach for our primaries. We are fully involved and participating in the local government election in Lagos.
“We are going to win some seats because we have areas where we are strong.
“We are going to win in our strongholds. We will spring a surprise in the election.”
HOWEVER, a group, the Civil Society Initiative, has condemned what it termed attempts to invite violence, chaos, or unrest as a reaction to the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) council primary elections in the state.
The group, during a joint rally for peace and democratic order, held yesterday, in Somolu, noted that as democracy provides structured avenues for redress, any candidate or stakeholders dissatisfied with the process should pursue legitimate appeal procedures through the party’s internal mechanism and the judicial system, rather than resorting to incitement or threats.
The Convener, Civil Society Initiative, Buna, who spoke during the rally, said: “We wish to clearly state that the outcome of the Somolu APC primaries was in accordance with the rule of law and due democratic processes. As in every democratic exercise, there must be both winners and losers. However, it is critical that all actors, especially the aggrieved, respond with maturity, democratic ethics, and sportsmanship.
“We condemn any attempt to invite violence, chaos, or unrest as a reaction to the election outcome. Democracy provides structured avenues for redress. Any candidate or stakeholders dissatisfied with the process should pursue legitimate appeal procedures through the party’s internal mechanism and the judicial system, rather than resorting to incitement or threats.”
MEANWHILE, a group, Enough is Enough Nigeria, and Yiaga Africa, have expressed deep concern over the unfolding issues surrounding the forthcoming 2025 local council elections in Lagos State, particularly regarding the legal basis of the election timetable and the lack of transparency in the process by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).
LASIEC has issued its notice of election for the polls scheduled for Saturday, July 12, 2025 in compliance with Section 21(1) of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) Law 2008 (as amended in 2016), which requires that such notice be issued at least 90 days before the election.
However, the groups, in a statement yesterday, said that the 92-day interval between the notice and the election date appears to satisfy LASIEC’s internal legal framework, saying that there is a more fundamental conflict with the Electoral Act, which threatens the legal validity of the entire process.
“Section 150 of the Electoral Act 2022 mandates that State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), including LASIEC, must adhere to the same procedures as those governing elections into Area Councils in the FCT.
“Under Section 103 (3) of the same Act, such elections must be held not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the tenure of sitting officials.
“With the current tenure of Local Government Chairmen and Councillors in Lagos State due to end on July 27, 2025, the lawful election window, per the Electoral Act, is between February 25 and June 25, 2025. The announced date of July 12 falls outside this legal window, thereby putting LASIEC in direct violation of the Electoral Act 2022.”
