EXCLUSIVE: Lagos opposition raises alarm over alleged plans to rig LG elections for APC
*We are not asking you to rig for us but don't rig us out, PDP tells LASIEC, police
By KEMI KASUMU
It then called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lagos State government, LASIEC and the police not to watch while anti-democratic forces set bad precedence in a state that is home of president and custodian of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Association of Local Governments’ Secretaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State has raised significant concerns over the upcoming local government elections, scheduled for Saturday July 12, 2025.
The organization claims that the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), in collaboration with the state police command, is allegedly planning to rig the elections in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The key allegations include collusion with the APC whereby Honourable Daniel Alao, Chairman of the Association, provided evidence during an exclusive interview with The DEFENDER Newspaper Thursday night of July 10, 2025, alleging that Mr. Oluwo, a member of LASIEC, met with APC representatives, including Hon. Shabi and Hon. Adefuye, to discuss preparations for the elections.
“We have a photo of a member of LASIEC, Mr. Oluwo, holding meeting with some APC members including Member of Lagos State House of Assembly representing Lagos Mainland, by name Hon. Shabi, and Hon. Adefuye at Officers Mess, Aje Street, Sabo, Tuesday night,” he said on Thursday.
Other key allegation is also in the area of voter intimidation, on which the PDP claimed that officials from APC-controlled councils have been coercing market women to surrender their voter cards, threatening to close businesses for those who refuse.
It continued, “Also during our campaigns, which we ended today (Thursday), reports we got from some of the electorate are that officials of these APC-controlled Lagos State councils are coercing the market women to submit their voter’s cards or they would not be allowed to open market.”
On election procedures, the Association’s chairman contended that LASIEC intends to conduct the elections without using the Polling Unit Voter Authentication System (PVAS), a method he asserted is critical for a credible electoral process.
“This is unacceptable to us in PDP, as a party, and members of the society guaranteed by law to exercise franchise to vote in an election. Once you are not using PVAS, how do you accredit in a lawful manner that will bring about peace?
“The LASIEC also has not even come out to tell us whether these information flying all over the places are correct or not. They have not told us how they want to conduct the elections, which law are they using? Is it the LGA Laws that will take effect in August? Why are these Lagos State authorities treating state or local governments laws as secret affairs?”
Speaking on the police restrictions, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh’s directives is viewed as one that will restrict voters’ ability to participate in the elections, as the PDP fears that these restrictions could disenfranchise voters, particularly those affected by movement limitations on election day.
“The police does not help matters because we also gathered that the announcement by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Moshood Jimoh restricting movement on Saturday is part of the way to disenfranchise the electorate from coming out to vote.”
This raises concerns about voter intimidation and the suppression of electoral participation, the Comrade Alao said.
He, therefore, called for clarity on the election conduct, questioning which laws LASIEC plans to follow, especially given the ambiguity regarding the LGA Laws.
The Association demanded for transparency and communication, while calling for “LASIEC to hold a public meeting with stakeholders before the elections to clarify these issues and address the allegations. We are emphasizing the need for transparency in the electoral process to restore public confidence.”
On accountability for potential violence, the Association of Local Governments’ Secretaries of PDP in Lagos State warned that “if the electoral process is compromised and leads to civil unrest, responsibility should fall on LASIEC, the APC, and the police.”
It then called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lagos State government, LASIEC and the police not to watch while anti-democratic forces set bad precedence in a state that is home of president and custodian of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
To the police and LASIEC, in particular, the chairman said, “we are not asking you to rig election in our favour nit we are saying that we should not be rigged out.”
At the time of publication, attempts to elicit responses from LASIEC and the APC regarding these serious allegations were unsuccessful. The police spokesperson, Ben Hundeyin, had yet to comment on the allegations raised by the PDP.
As the local government elections approach, the situation remains tense in Lagos State. The allegations of possible electoral malpractices and intimidation could have significant implications for the democratic process and public trust in the electoral system.
Stakeholders and the electorate are closely observing developments, with calls for accountability and integrity in the conduct of the elections.
