Press release by the African Action Congress, Lagos
CALL FOR TOTAL CANCELLATION OF THE SHAM LAGOS STATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION.
The outcome of today’s election is nothing to write home about. Without any doubt, this has been predicted by us, because the foundation of a building does determine how it could withstand a storm.
LASIEC knew that they had failed before today, as the process was marred with a lot of lapses from the beginning.
All our Agents reported late arrival of the electoral officials in their various local government. LASIEC officials came to the polling units at 12pm and many others even later. The issue of lateness caused a wide spread discouragement to lots of electorates, as they had to go back home before the arrival of the LASIEC officials. This was done intentionally to disenfranchise the voters.
When Adhoc staff were challenged they complained of receiving ballot papers late and also some of them said they requested for funds in the morning and they were not given. You can imagine the level of incompetence.
Some party logos were not on the ballot paper. The lack of preparation which the public are aware of, eroded public confidence, as this brings about voters apathy in the State.
LASIEC is a shame to democracy. What kind of sham election is this! No form of accreditation. Anybody can just present anyone’s PVC as far as you claim the name on the voters list and vote, or many even voting without any voters list checked. We were aware that LASIEC isn’t ready for any credible election through the manners in which they handle the screening process and validation and what has happened today so far is just a confirmation of what we already know.
LASIEC staff were not hiding the disgusting way of collecting bribes, it shows decadence and lack of integrity within the State electoral umpire. They clinically and shamelessly allowed the APC party agents and thugs to rig the election.
The security was zero, police couldn’t be on the ground as they usually do during the protest. There was violence in both Ikosi-Isheri Mile 12 and Ajeromi Ifelodun and threats of violence all over the state. It was not funny to hear from a DPO to telling a complainant that they can’t be everywhere, this shows the levels of failure in the system, if citizens couldn’t be protected during a state local government election, it pointed to the fact that we are in a failed country.
Ignoring the threats reported is the highest crime security agency could commit. Security lapses equally aided myriad election malpractice carry out today.
We are calling for the total cancellation of the sham election conducted by the LASIEC, it can’t be called free talk less fair. The election didn’t follow the guidelines of the electoral law and also the training manual of LASIEC. In many centers there was no displacement of the voters details while many of the officials colluded with APC to rigged. It is disheartening as the time countries around the world are gearing towards better and stable democracy, here we have LASIEC dismantling our already fragile democracy. All political parties asked to sign the hypocrisy “Peace Accord” prepared by the LASIEC while All Progressive Congress APC was quick to sign and turn to inflicting injuries on opponents and causing chaos everywhere during the election.
This is not an election, it is worse than a coup. APC through the help of LASIEC have eventually battered democracy. We are saying nothing lasts forever, the table will soon turn!
We demand immediate cancellation of the entire exercise, immediate resignation of Justice Bola Okikioku Ighile (RTD ) and also the resignation of Babajide Sanwolu for the intentional appointment of an incompetent Chairman of the Electoral body.
Signed:
Jegede Kehinde
State Secretary
Ayoyinka Oni
Chairman
12-07-2025
