Ahead of the July 12, 2025 local government elections in Lagos State, the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has expressed concern over internal divisions within the Labour Party, revealing that the party is currently split into three factions within the state.
LASIEC Chairman, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ forum held in Ikeja, stating that the internal rift has made it difficult for the Commission to engage meaningfully with the party in preparation for the upcoming elections.
According to her, LASIEC is awaiting guidance from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to determine which faction of the Labour Party should be officially recognised. Until that clarity is provided, the commission is facing significant logistical and procedural constraints in its dealings with the party.
Despite these challenges, Justice Okikiolu-Ighile reaffirmed LASIEC’s commitment to conducting free, fair, credible, and conclusive elections across all local government areas in the state.
She emphasized that the credibility of any election is rooted in public confidence and trust, which can only be achieved through collective participation, transparency, and accountability.
To promote inclusive political participation, LASIEC announced that it will provide free nomination forms for:
- Women aspirants
- Persons living with disabilities (PWDs)
- Youths
These forms will be accessible via their respective political parties, a move LASIEC believes will level the playing field for all categories of contestants.
A 9am News report notes that similar inclusive policies have been key features of recent electoral reforms in other states, particularly in driving youth and female participation.
Justice Okikiolu-Ighile called on all political parties, candidates, and civil society groups to play active roles in supporting internal party democracy, mobilising voters, and contributing to peaceful and credible elections.
She also highlighted LASIEC’s plans to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to sustain the integrity of the process, noting that electoral success is a shared responsibility.
Also speaking at the forum, Folashade Omowole, the LASIEC Permanent Secretary, stressed the need for effective voter education. She said voter education remains essential in combating apathy, electoral violence, and misinformation, which continue to undermine democratic participation in many local elections.
She reassured participants of LASIEC’s resolve to conduct elections that truly reflect the will of the people, and emphasized the Commission’s dedication to transparency, fairness, and stakeholder collaboration.
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