Low Turnout Hits Ikorodu-Isheri as Lagos Council Elections Hold Amid Apathy

Electoral officials in Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area raised the alarm on Saturday over a glaring lack of voter enthusiasm, as local government elections across Lagos State suffered low turnout despite early preparations.

At several polling units in the area, voting began on schedule, with materials and personnel deployed as early as 8 a.m. But hours later, the expected crowds were nowhere in sight.

“We’ve been here since 8 a.m. but not many people have shown up,” one official said at Polling Unit 036, where only a handful of the 56 registered voters had appeared by mid-morning.

The situation was even more worrying at Polling Unit 020, Ward 2, where just two out of 94 eligible voters had cast their ballots. “So far, it’s been peaceful and no disturbances,” another official said. Still, he admitted, the turnout was “discouraging.”

Polling Unit 048 in Ward C painted the starkest picture. With 1,273 names on the register, only 20 had shown up as of 11 a.m. At nearby Polling Unit 049, also in Ward C, just seven out of 1,029 voters had participated. Electoral officers stationed at both locations said they arrived on time but spent most of the morning waiting in vain for voters.

The elections are being conducted across Lagos State’s 20 constitutionally recognized Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas to fill chairmanship and councillorship positions—key offices in grassroots governance.

Yet despite their importance, local polls in Lagos continue to grapple with voter apathy, poor civic awareness, and logistical hurdles. The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission has acknowledged the issue and pledged to improve future exercises.

As of press time, voting was still ongoing in parts of Ikosi-Isheri.