LAISEC: Validation of Candidates or Disenfranchisement?

Lagosians will recall that the African Action Congress has challenged all the processes and planning towards the 2025 local government elections, from how the electoral law was passed in a clandestine manner to the appointment of the LASIEC Chairman and her team, to the administrative fee, and the introduction of guidelines without notifying party leaders. LASIEC has reacted to some of our concerns without providing solutions and has remained silent on others. However, we have refused to let this discourage us from participating in the election process, because we believe that all these actions are engineered by Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s government to allow a free passage for candidates in his political party.

On June 24th, we received a letter from LASIEC for validation and verification of candidates’ documents, scheduled for Thursday, June 26th. Prior to this, we had submitted all documents to LASIEC, but nevertheless, we instructed our candidates to come with the original documents. However, LASIEC, without any prior instruction in the letter, suddenly pasted guidelines on Thursday morning when candidates arrived, which included asking them to bring a photocopy of the sponsor’s voter’s card. They refused to apologize for this omission on their part, which most party chairmen stated was not even necessary.

Candidates left the LASIEC office late at night, only to arrive again today and face another baseless challenge. By 8 pm on Monday night, candidates from our political party and other parties were still at the LASIEC office with no verification done. Now, information has it that the APC successfully completed their verification exercise over the weekend. They were given two complete days, and we didn’t hear of any challenges. Is LASIEC working for the APC or for all political parties in Lagos?

Despite paying an administrative fee for a job they are paid with taxpayers’ money to do, they still gave us an administrative nightmare in handling our candidates. The APC is getting a smooth validation exercise while other parties, who are supposed to be busy campaigning, are spending a whole day at LASIEC. We believe this is intentional and a method to frustrate our candidates out of the election process, and that will not happen.

We call on the Chairman of LASIEC, Justice Bola Okikiolu Ighile, and other members of her team – Samson Ajibade, Akin Durojaiye, Olumide Metilelu, Abeeb Dapo, and Oladele Adekanye – if they still have integrity, as they claim, to quickly sit up and solve this disgraceful administrative problem. Failure to do so will attract an immediate shutdown of activities in the LASIEC office until it is resolved.

Candidates who are supposed to be collating their polling unit agents for an election that is barely 12 days away are busy spending the whole day at the LASIEC office. Is this the creativity, dedication, and deep sense of duty that Babajide Sanwo-Olu promised Lagosians would get from LASIEC when he appointed this team at the Banquet Hall in Ikeja? If LASIEC can’t conduct a simple verification and validation exercise, how can they conduct free, fair, and credible elections? Justice Bola Okikiolu Ighile should stop joking with us. This has become a joke taken too far.

Signed: Ayoyinka Oni, Chairman, Lagos AAC.”

The African Action Congress (AAC), Oyo State chapter, has condemned Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration over its recent approval of ₦63.5 billion for the renovation of the state’s Government House in Agodi, Ibadan, describing the project as extravagant, unjustifiable, and a cover for grand-scale corruption.

The Oyo State Executive Council, on Wednesday, approved a total of ₦63,479,858,000 for what it described as a comprehensive overhaul of the Government House facilities.

According to the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, the project seeks to upgrade an “embarrassing and unbefitting” Government House, which has reportedly been abandoned for six years.

However, in a statement issued Thursday by Kayode Babayomi, the Chairman for the AAC in Oyo State, he lambasted the Makinde-led government for prioritising luxury over public welfare.

The party argued that the renovation cost is an insult to the suffering masses, especially amid ongoing challenges in education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

“It is deeply disturbing that, at a time when Oyo people are grappling with the rising cost of living, poor schools, and crumbling healthcare systems, Governor Makinde deems it appropriate to allocate over ₦60 billion for the renovation of a Government House,” AAC stated.

The party pointed out that the proposed amount is ₦5 billion more than the state’s entire 2025 health sector allocation, which is supposed to cater to over 7 million residents. It also noted that the figure surpasses the state’s total education budget in 2023 and triples the healthcare allocation from the previous year, which only had a 70% implementation rate.

“This decision exposes the misplaced priorities of the administration. The real embarrassment in Oyo is not the Government House—it is the state of our schools and hospitals. This renovation budget cannot be justified by any reasonable standard,” the statement added.

AAC further alleged that the renovation scheme is a calculated move to pad the budget and divert public funds, stressing that even a completely new Government House should not cost half of the approved sum.

“You don’t need to be a construction expert to recognize this for what it is: systematic looting disguised as development. The figures simply do not add up,” the party said.

The statement also criticised what it described as the misuse of increased FAAC allocations under the Makinde government, saying that higher federal revenue inflows have only led to more waste and elite projects that serve a narrow political class.

Reaffirming its commitment to people-centered governance, AAC urged the people of Oyo State to rise in defense of their collective resources and reject governance defined by corruption and cosmetic projects.

“The true development of any state is not in grandiose buildings, but in the well-being of its citizens. That is the only meaningful legacy a government can leave,” the party declared.

AAC concluded with a call to action, encouraging Oyo residents to demand transparency and mobilize for a change in political leadership.

“We call on the people of Oyo State to hold this government accountable. Makinde’s priorities do not align with the public interest. We must organize and prepare to remove these corrupt actors from our political system,” the statement added.

The African Action Congress (AAC), Anambra State chapter, has condemned the imposition of a ₦50 million campaign advertisement fee by the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), declaring it a deliberate move to suppress opposition voices ahead of the November 8, 2025, governorship election.

In response, the party has announced a protest scheduled for Friday, June 20, to be held at the ANSAA office.

The demonstration aims to challenge the exploitative and unconstitutional policy designed to limit political participation and marginalise grassroots movements.

The protest comes in reaction to recent guidelines issued by ANSAA’s Managing Director/CEO, Tony Ujubuonu, who stated that each of the 16 officially cleared governorship candidates by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must pay ₦50 million to obtain a campaign permit. According to Ujubuonu, the fee is a prerequisite for parties to legally conduct campaign-related activities using posters, banners, rallies, and other promotional tools across the state’s 21 local government areas.

In a statement released Thursday by Chimezie Uzoukwu, Media Director of the Chioma 2025 Campaign Committee, the AAC described the fee as “exploitative, undemocratic, and economically disenfranchising.”

“This fee seeks to stifle political participation and limit the ability of grassroots campaigns to engage with the public,” the statement read. “AAC stands firmly for justice, transparency, and the right of the people to be heard. We cannot remain silent in the face of policies aimed at silencing alternative leadership voices.”

Calling on activists, civil society groups, members of the media, and all defenders of democracy to join the protest, AAC declared its unwavering commitment to people-first governance in Anambra State.

“We reject any attempt to use state institutions to entrench elite dominance while suppressing working-class-led alternatives. The streets will speak for the people,” the statement concluded.

PRESS STATEMENT

AAC FCT Chapter Slams FCT Administration’s Heinous Neglect of Primary School Teachers

The African Action Congress (AAC) FCT Chapter is outraged and appalled by the FCT Administration’s egregious neglect and disregard for the welfare of primary school teachers in the nation’s capital. The ongoing strike by teachers, now heading to its 90th day, is a damning indictment of the administration’s callous indifference to the plight of educators and the future of our children.

The AAC FCT Chapter condemns in the strongest possible terms the FCT Administration’s brazen disregard for the agreements reached with the teachers. The administration’s failure to implement the N70,000 minimum wage and pay outstanding allowances is a clear demonstration of its lack of commitment to the education sector and its willingness to trample on the rights of workers.

We denounce the FCT Administration’s priorities, which are clearly skewed towards grandiose and wasteful projects that serve no purpose other than to line the pockets of cronies and political allies. The rehabilitation of the ICC and other similar projects with such very scary and prodigious amount unaccounted for are a monumental waste of public resources and a stark reminder of the administration’s lack of empathy and understanding of the needs of the people.

The AAC FCT Chapter demands that the FCT Administration takes immediate and concrete actions to resolve the strike and meet the teachers’ demands. This includes implementing the N70,000 minimum wage, paying outstanding allowances, and prioritizing education and the welfare of teachers. Anything short of this will be a clear indication of the administration’s lack of seriousness and commitment to the education sector.

We call on the people of FCT to rise up and demand accountability from their leaders. The AAC FCT Chapter stands in solidarity with the teachers and will continue to advocate for their rights and welfare. We will not be silenced or intimidated by the administration’s attempts to suppress dissent and criticism.

The people of FCT deserve better. It’s time for change.

Signed

AGENA ROBERT ANDE
Chairman, AAC FCT Chapter

PRESS STATEMENT

APC SUMMIT; A GATHERING OF FAILURES ENDORSING THE GRAND COMMANDER OF FAILURE (GCFR).

Nigerians yesterday watched with utter disappointment the embarrassing gathering of failures in Abuja.

The APC Summit was a gross insult on the intelligence of Nigerians as the grand-failure, Bola Tinubu, was praised to the high heavens despite the untold hardship, mass poverty, and several neoliberal attacks the regime has launched against the people. One would only wonder if these men and women in APC really live in this space like the rest of us.

No one in Nigeria today needs a degree in Economics to understand the magnitude of hardship the policies of the regime have caused, as the economy falls off the cliff. Under this Naira devaluation and floating regime, the Naira is now so worthless than a used toilet paper. The Naira floats between 1500-1700 per dollar with many businesses that rely on Forex struggling while many have folded up already.

On security, violent attacks have become a daily occurrence, and all the promises to secure lives and properties have proven to be empty words. From the Plateau, to the Southeast, North down to the Southwest, no one can sleep with their eyes closed.

The rule of law has also suffered badly under this grand failure. Under the watch of the grand failure, the once revered judiciary has become an object of mockery. “Go to court” is now the popular innuendo when Nigerians want to express how disappointing and unreliable the justice system has become. This is without dwelling so much on the poor human rights record of the regime. Journalists and critics now live in fear of being arrested and charged under a wicked CyberCrime Act.

In spite of all these, the same political class that has crippled Nigeria continues to recycle itself under different banners. This is why Nigerians must divorce themselves from this crop of failed leaders and prepare to wrestle power through the revolutionary and people-oriented politics of the African Action Congress (AAC).

The so-called opposition under the Labour Party (LP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) should not be taken seriously. They are of the same identity: looters, opportunists, and defenders of the status quo who are only interested in switching positions, not changing the lives of ordinary people.

Nigeria needs a clear break from the old. That break will not come from summits of failures or alliances of the corrupt. It will come from the organized power of the people rising through genuine revolutionary platforms like the AAC.

We condemn the APC gathering of failures in its entirety, describing it as insensitive and irresponsible. We state that it’s time to reject deception. It’s time to build real change.

Signed:

Femi Adeyeye
National Publicity Secretary,
African Action Congress

23/5/2025

“Turning a recruitment exercise into a revenue-generating scheme is unacceptable. Job creation should prioritize empowering citizens, not depleting their limited resources,” the statement read.

The African Action Congress (AAC) and the Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement, Bauchi State Chapter, have jointly condemned the recent decision by the Bauchi State Government to impose a ₦500 application fee on unemployed youths applying for civil service jobs.

They both described the move as exploitative and insensitive, particularly amid the ongoing economic hardship faced by many Nigerians.

In a joint press statement released on Saturday, the party and the movement criticized the monetization of the recruitment process, arguing that job creation should serve to empower the people, not further impoverish them. They called for an immediate refund of all monies collected from applicants.

“Turning a recruitment exercise into a revenue-generating scheme is unacceptable. Job creation should prioritize empowering citizens, not depleting their limited resources,” the statement read.

The press release, signed by Amb. Umar Y Abubakar, Chairman of AAC in Bauchi State, and Comr. Nazif Nuhu, Coordinator of the TIB Movement, also drew attention to what they described as the “deplorable” state of public education in the state.

They lamented the deteriorating conditions of many schools, citing leaking roofs, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of basic learning materials. The statement noted that Bauchi remains among the states with the highest number of out-of-school children since 2019, a situation the groups say demands urgent government intervention.

“We demand that the Bauchi State Government should redirect its focus and resources toward revitalizing our education system. Investing in rebuilding classrooms, training teachers, and creating a conducive learning environment is crucial,” the statement continued.

Summarizing their demands, the AAC and TIB Movement called on the state government to:

Cease what they termed “extortion” of job applicants,

Refund all application fees collected, and

Prioritize investment in the state’s education sector.

“The people of Bauchi deserve leadership that listens, cares, and acts in their best interest,” the statement concluded.

SEE THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW:

JOINT PRESS STATEMENT

BY

THE AFRICAN ACTION CONGRESS (AAC) AND THE TAKE-IT-BACK MOVEMENT (TIB), BAUCHI STATE CHAPTER

DATE: MAY 11, 2025

We, the African Action Congress (AAC) and the Take-It-Back Movement (TIB) in Bauchi State, express our utmost disapproval of the recent decision by the Bauchi State Government to impose a ₦500 application fee on unemployed youths seeking civil service positions. This move is not only exploitative but also disheartening, particularly given the current economic hardships faced by many citizens.

Turning a recruitment exercise into a revenue-generating scheme is unacceptable. Job creation should prioritize empowering citizens, not depleting their limited resources. We demand that the government immediately refunds all monies collected from applicants.

Furthermore, we are deeply concerned about the deplorable state of our public education system. Many schools in Bauchi are in disrepair, with leaking roofs, overcrowded classrooms, and inadequate learning materials. The state’s ranking among those with the highest number of out-of-school children since 2019 underscores the urgent need for reform.

We urge the Bauchi State Government to redirect its focus and resources toward revitalizing our education system. Investing in rebuilding classrooms, training teachers, and creating a conducive learning environment is crucial.

Our message is clear:

• Cease the extortion
• Refund applicants
• Prioritize education

The people of Bauchi deserve leadership that listens, cares, and acts in their best interest.

E-SIGNED:

Amb. Umar Y Abubakar
Chairman, African Action Congress (AAC) Bauchi State Chapter

Comr. Nazif Nuhu
Coordinator, Take It Back Movement
Bauchi State Chapter

The African Action Congress (AAC) unequivocally condemns the recent decision by the Kano State Government to ban all live political programmes across media platforms in the state and to impose draconian restrictions on journalists and media professionals.

This action, as announced by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, and formalized in a directive signed by the Director of Special Duties, Sani Abba Yola, constitutes a grave violation of democratic principles, press freedom, and the constitutional rights of citizens to freedom of expression and access to information.

The AAC views this move as an authoritarian attempt to stifle political dissent, muzzle the press, and shield the government from public accountability. The prohibition of what the government terms “provocative questions” is a deliberately vague and subjective standard designed to intimidate journalists and suppress critical inquiry. Such language provides the government with unchecked discretion to silence any form of interrogation that challenges its narrative or exposes its failures.

Furthermore, the requirement that media guests sign undertakings not to make “abusive, defamatory, or culturally offensive remarks” is not only redundant—given existing defamation and hate speech laws—but also opens the door to censorship, as these terms are undefined and could be manipulated to target opposition voices or dissenting views.

It is deeply troubling that the state seeks to control not only what is said, but how it is said, going as far as to prohibit gestures deemed suggestive. This level of surveillance over speech and expression reflects a creeping authoritarianism that has no place in a democratic society.

The AAC strongly asserts that democracy thrives on free and open discourse. It is through robust political debate, public scrutiny, and freedom of the press that governments are held accountable and citizens are empowered to make informed decisions.

While the AAC acknowledges and appreciates the laudable infrastructural and developmental projects being undertaken by the Kano State Government, we emphasize that such achievements must not come at the expense of fundamental freedoms. Development and democracy must go hand in hand.
By banning live political programmes, the Kano State Government is effectively denying the people of the state their right to hear alternative political perspectives, critically assess governance, and participate meaningfully in public life.

This action represents a clear and dangerous erosion of civil liberties and democratic norms. It is reminiscent of repressive regimes that fear transparency and public engagement. The AAC calls on civil society organizations, professional bodies like the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), media houses, and all citizens of conscience to reject this undemocratic imposition and demand its immediate reversal.

We also call on the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to resist being co-opted into enforcing these unconstitutional measures and to reaffirm its mandate to protect media freedom in Nigeria. The right to freedom of expression and press is enshrined in Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and must not be traded away for political convenience.

The AAC reiterates its commitment to fighting for justice, transparency, and true democracy in Nigeria. We will continue to resist all forms of political repression and stand with the people of Kano State and the Nigerian media in defending their right to speak freely and hold power to account.

Signed:
Abba Sharif Abdullahi
Chairman, Kano State Chapter
African Action Congress (AAC)

The African Action Congress (AAC) unequivocally condemns the recent decision by the Kano State Government to ban all live political programmes across media platforms in the state and to impose draconian restrictions on journalists and media professionals.

This action, as announced by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, and formalized in a directive signed by the Director of Special Duties, Sani Abba Yola, constitutes a grave violation of democratic principles, press freedom, and the constitutional rights of citizens to freedom of expression and access to information.

The AAC views this move as an authoritarian attempt to stifle political dissent, muzzle the press, and shield the government from public accountability. The prohibition of what the government terms “provocative questions” is a deliberately vague and subjective standard designed to intimidate journalists and suppress critical inquiry. Such language provides the government with unchecked discretion to silence any form of interrogation that challenges its narrative or exposes its failures.

Furthermore, the requirement that media guests sign undertakings not to make “abusive, defamatory, or culturally offensive remarks” is not only redundant—given existing defamation and hate speech laws—but also opens the door to censorship, as these terms are undefined and could be manipulated to target opposition voices or dissenting views.

It is deeply troubling that the state seeks to control not only what is said, but how it is said, going as far as to prohibit gestures deemed suggestive. This level of surveillance over speech and expression reflects a creeping authoritarianism that has no place in a democratic society.

The AAC strongly asserts that democracy thrives on free and open discourse. It is through robust political debate, public scrutiny, and freedom of the press that governments are held accountable and citizens are empowered to make informed decisions.

While the AAC acknowledges and appreciates the laudable infrastructural and developmental projects being undertaken by the Kano State Government, we emphasize that such achievements must not come at the expense of fundamental freedoms. Development and democracy must go hand in hand.
By banning live political programmes, the Kano State Government is effectively denying the people of the state their right to hear alternative political perspectives, critically assess governance, and participate meaningfully in public life.

This action represents a clear and dangerous erosion of civil liberties and democratic norms. It is reminiscent of repressive regimes that fear transparency and public engagement. The AAC calls on civil society organizations, professional bodies like the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), media houses, and all citizens of conscience to reject this undemocratic imposition and demand its immediate reversal.

We also call on the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to resist being co-opted into enforcing these unconstitutional measures and to reaffirm its mandate to protect media freedom in Nigeria. The right to freedom of expression and press is enshrined in Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and must not be traded away for political convenience.

The AAC reiterates its commitment to fighting for justice, transparency, and true democracy in Nigeria. We will continue to resist all forms of political repression and stand with the people of Kano State and the Nigerian media in defending their right to speak freely and hold power to account.

Signed:
Abba Sharif Abdullahi
Chairman, Kano State Chapter
African Action Congress (AAC)

The African Action Congress (AAC) has criticized President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State House of Assembly, and the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), accusing them of working together to weaken the independence of local governments.

This comes despite a recent Supreme Court ruling that clearly supports the right of local governments to run their own affairs.

In a statement issued by AAC Lagos Chairman Ayoyinka Oni and signed by State Secretary Jedege Kehinde, the party condemned what it called a “calculated effort” by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and LASIEC to frustrate the implementation of genuine local government autonomy.

“This is a blatant disregard for the Supreme Court judgment which affirms the constitutional right of local governments to operate independently,” the statement read. “If no one else can govern a state where there’s an elected governor, why then should any person oversee local governments when there are elected chairmen?”

AAC pointed to the attempt by the Lagos State House of Assembly to pass a bill that would have empowered the governor to appoint Mayors to head Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

According to the statement, this move was thwarted only after a public backlash during a legislative hearing, where the AAC and other civic voices pushed back strongly.

The party also criticised the clandestine passage of a new Lagos State Electoral Law on January 9, 2025, which reportedly occurred while the House was on recess. Governor Sanwo-Olu signed the law the following day, prompting the AAC to decry what it described as a lack of transparency and public engagement.

“It is a big disappointment,” the AAC stated, recounting how the LASIEC Chair told the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) that the law had been passed and signed without public knowledge. “When asked for a copy, she said we should go and buy it—because she herself bought the copy she uses. Since when did laws become commodities for sale? These are documents that should be accessible to the public.”

AAC also denounced the introduction of administrative fees for candidates seeking to contest in the upcoming local government elections. The party argued that LASIEC’s decision, supported only by the APC, was both unconstitutional and exclusionary, noting that 18 other IPAC member parties had rejected the fees.

“LASIEC is not a revenue-generating agency. Budgetary allocations have already been made for the election. This move will only disenfranchise capable candidates who want to serve but cannot afford the cost,” the statement read.

Further expressing concerns over election security, the AAC questioned LASIEC’s readiness to prevent electoral violence—an issue that has plagued previous polls in Lagos.

“We will not accept elections engulfed with violence, malpractice, and partisanship. If LASIEC cannot assure a level playing ground, we will not hesitate to seek political and legal redress,” the party warned.

Additionally, the AAC criticised the state government’s continued recognition of LCDAs, which are not constitutionally backed, asserting that only the 20 constitutionally recognised local governments have legal standing.

“No state has the power to create new local governments outside the constitutional process. That is a national issue that requires constitutional amendment,” AAC said.

Calling on Lagosians to reject what it described as an “illegal arrangement,” the party rallied public support.

“We invite all well-meaning Lagosians to rise and reject this constitutional violation. We must liberate Lagos from those who refuse to allow it to grow,” the statement concluded.