Former Labour Party deputy governorship candidate in Lagos, Princess Abiodun Oyefusi, has raised concern over preparations for the upcoming local government elections, urging LASIEC to ensure transparency by strictly following electoral guidelines and laws.
It would be recalled that LASIEC has fixed Saturday, July 12, 2025 for the conduct of local government polls across the state, with political campaigns scheduled to commence from Friday, April 18, 2025.
Oyefusi made the call in a statement, copy of which was made available to newsmen on Tuesday, emphasising that the integrity of local elections was critical to sustaining Nigeria’s democratic values, just as she noted that the local government system represents the closest connection between the people and the government.
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According to her, the grassroots is the bedrock of a thriving democracy, warning that once the process at such level was compromised, “it weakens citizens’ faith in governance and democratic institutions.”
She, therefore, called on LASIEC to ensure timely publication of election timetables, fair access to election materials for all political actors, and strict neutrality in handling candidates and political parties.
Oyefusi expressed concern over the commission’s practice of disseminating key information, such as election timetables, solely through platforms like Facebook, arguing that such actions fall short of what was required by law and lacked the formal authority and transparency electoral guidelines demanded.
Besides, she equally expressed concern over the continued involvement of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the electoral process, despite the fact that they were not recognized by the 1999 Constitution, stressing that this action undermined the legal integrity of the elections and called into question the legitimacy of outcomes in those jurisdictions.
Oyefusi, known for her unwavering advocacy for inclusive good governance and gender equality, also highlighted the need for increased participation of women and marginalized groups in the local government electoral process.
“As we approach the elections, LASIEC must demonstrate that it is an independent and credible body committed to the democratic aspirations of all Lagosians,” she said.
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