Lagos Set for Local Council Polls as Over 7 Million Voters Head to the Ballot

Exactly one year after Nigeria’s Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling affirming the autonomy of local governments, Lagos State—the country’s commercial capital—is gearing up for a major democratic exercise.

On Saturday, July 12, 2025, a total of 7,060,195 registered voters are expected to file out across the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the state to elect chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors who will steer the affairs of their respective councils.

The stakes are high in Lagos, not just because of its economic significance, but also due to its political weight. The state is the home base of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former governor and influential political figure widely regarded as the “Jagaban of Bourdillon” and godfather of Lagos politics.

As Nigeria’s most populous city, Lagos is home to over 20 million residents. In 2024 alone, the state generated a record ₦1.3 trillion in internal revenue, maintaining its status as the nation’s financial and commercial engine. It hosts the headquarters of major banks, telecom giants, oil firms, seaports, airports, and bustling markets that power the national economy.

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) will supervise the election, in line with the constitutional provision that gives state electoral bodies the mandate to conduct local government polls. Unlike federal and state elections organized by INEC, LASIEC takes full responsibility for the grassroots democratic process.

Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, LASIEC Chairperson, disclosed that 15 out of 19 registered political parties have fielded candidates for the various positions. She also clarified that while the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) would not be deployed, some electronic tools would still be used to aid the process. “There are some electronics that we are going to use in between. We can go manual,” she explained.

The commission is also hoping to reverse the trend of voter apathy that has long plagued local elections in the country. Justice Okikiolu-Ighile expressed confidence that the commission’s outreach efforts will encourage higher voter participation this time.

“We are ready. We have worked hard. Now, we urge Lagosians to come out and vote peacefully,” she said.