July 12, 2025

The Lagos State Local Government election on Saturday was characterised by low voter turnout and reported cases of voter inducement in some parts of the state, particularly in Festac, Amuwo Odofin area.

Political Economistng reports that despite the peaceful conduct of the elections, the overall enthusiasm among voters was notably lacking.

Officials from the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) reportedly arrived late at several polling units, contributing to delays in the voting process.

In an interim report released by the Justice Development and Peace Centre (JDPC), Amuwo Odofin, the chairman of the 2025 Local Government election committee, Mr. Onyema Onyenakeya, emphasised the urgent need for enhanced voter education ahead of future elections.

He stressed that building public confidence in the electoral process is essential to ensuring that voters understand the importance of their participation.

“Several polling units in Amuwo Odofin L.G.A experienced a hitch-free election,” Onyema noted. “However, there was massive voter apathy. Many people chose to remain inactive, sitting in clusters, playing football, or attending to their daily routines rather than casting their votes.”

Onyenakeya also pointed out the absence of accredited election observers at many polling units, a contrast to previous general elections where observers were more visible.

The JDPC, a Catholic Church-affiliated NGO dedicated to promoting sustainable and integral human development, deployed members across the state to monitor the election process.

Onyema highlighted that while the ruling party ensured adequate deployment of polling agents, many opposition parties had few or no agents present at some polling stations.

The organisation called on electoral bodies and stakeholders to intensify voter education campaigns to foster greater civic engagement and ensure more credible local government elections in the future.

As Lagos State reflects on today’s election, the focus now shifts to addressing the challenges of voter apathy and ensuring that every citizen understands that their vote truly matters.