Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has reacted strongly to the conduct and outcome of the just-concluded Lagos State Local Government elections, describing it as a charade marred by voter apathy and entrenched electoral malpractice.

In a statement released on Sunday via his official social media platforms, Sowore criticized the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing the regime of orchestrating the familiar cycle of rigging, vote buying, and manipulation of electoral processes during the polls.

“LAGOS LOCAL GOVT ELECTIONS & VOTER APATHY,” Sowore began, before noting that despite the government’s traditional tactics to skew the vote in its favor, a striking development was the overwhelming disinterest shown by the electorate.

“Even though the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime engaged in its usual voting shenanigans—rigging, vote buying, and electoral manipulations—something new was also clear: people didn’t find it necessary to come out to vote in Lagos yesterday,” he wrote.

Sowore described the low voter turnout as a warning sign of deeper political discontent, stating that when people abandon voting with their thumbs, they may be preparing for more radical forms of political expression.

“When the people stop voting with their thumbs, it is then obvious they’re preparing to vote with something else—and history has shown that such votes are often louder, costlier, and irreversible,” he concluded.

Sowore’s remarks come amid widespread criticism of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and ruling party over the integrity of the elections, which many observers say failed to inspire public confidence.

Videos and reports circulating on social media showed empty polling stations, video evidences of ballot stuffing, and widespread vote buying.