Group raises alarm over transparency gaps in Lagos 2025 LG polls

A prominent civil society organisation, Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria, has raised significant concerns over the legality and transparency surrounding the scheduled 2025 local government elections in Lagos State.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, EiE Nigeria expressed “deep concern over the unfolding issues surrounding the forthcoming 2025 Local Government elections in Lagos State, particularly regarding the legal basis of the election timetable and the lack of transparency.”

While acknowledging that the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) complied with its internal guideline of issuing a 90-day notice before the election, EiE warned that the timeline might violate federal electoral laws.

According to the group, LASIEC’s notice period of 92 days, though consistent with its internal framework, appears to conflict with provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

“Section 150 of the Electoral Act 2022 mandates that State Independent Electoral Commissions, including LASIEC, must adhere to the same procedures governing elections into Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory,” EiE stated.

The group further cited Section 103(3) of the Electoral Act, which requires that such elections be held no fewer than 150 days and no more than 30 days before the expiration of the tenure of current officeholders.

Given that the tenure of incumbent Local Government Chairmen and Councillors ends on July 27, 2025, EiE stressed that the legally permissible window for elections runs between February 25 and June 25, 2025.

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The announced election date of July 12, 2025, therefore, falls outside the legally defined window.

Beyond the legal misalignment, EiE criticised LASIEC’s handling of the electoral process, particularly the release of election guidelines without proper consultation with political stakeholders.

The organisation echoed concerns previously raised by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), noting that unilateral decision-making undermines transparency and inclusivity.

The group also called for the immediate release of the updated LASIEC Law to ensure legal clarity and urged the Commission to clarify the legal status of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the election process—an issue that has long remained contentious.

EiE appealed directly to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who appointed the current members of LASIEC, to guarantee that the Commission operates strictly within its constitutional mandate.

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who appointed members of the Commission, should ensure they are abiding by their sworn mandate,” the statement concluded.

The concerns raised by EiE add to the growing calls for electoral reform and increased accountability as Lagos State prepares for a pivotal local government election year.