Gov Sanwo-Olu blames logistics for delay, low turnout in LG elections led by APC
By OUR REPORTERS
People chose helping themselves with posting, on social media, their experiences in the hands of handlers of Lagos State electoral matters because of loss of confidence even in ability of the main media to present their exact worries to other Nigerians and world to see, we gathered
Despite voter apathy and widely acknowledged logistical hiccups leading to delays and low turnout in various polling units across all councils during the local governments’ elections in Lagos State on Saturday July 12, 2025, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is said to be on the lead.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) reportedly takes the lead in the council polls across Lagos State, as vote sorting and collation continued in the 57 local government areas (LGAs) and local council development areas (LCDAs)
It was gathered that despite the generally peaceful nature of the exercise, voter turnout was notably low across many polling units with some disenfranchised voters taking to the social media to lodge their complaints directly to the public.
ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Lagos opposition raises alarm over alleged plans to rig LG elections for APC
However, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who cast his ballot at his polling unit in the Adeniji-Adele area, addressed journalists shortly after voting, acknowledging what he called the early logistical hiccups that delayed the start of the process in some areas, attributing them to movement constraints.
Unofficial updates from various polling units, as of 4:00pm, indicated that the APC was maintaining a clear lead in multiple areas, including Sanwo-Olu’s own polling unit 006 at St. Stevens Nursery and Primary School, Adeniji-Adele.
Other strongholds where the ruling party showed dominance include Yaba, Somolu, Bariga, Ikeja and Agege.
Preliminary results from these locations suggested that the APC was ahead in both the chairmanship and councillorship races, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), trailing in second place and the Labour Party (LP) coming third.
The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) is, however, looked forward to for announcement of full results when collation is concluded.
This comes less than 48 hours after report of the Association of Lagos Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Secretaries’s exclusive interview granted The DEFENDER by its Chairman, Comrade Daniel Alao, raising the alarm over alleged plans to rig LG elections for APC. The group, therefore, called on Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and the police saying “We are not asking you to rig for us but don’t rig us out.”
ALSO READ: De Renaissance Patriots sue LASIEC over planned elections in 57 councils instead of 20
The PDP group specifically 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.
According to the group, “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,” Alao said in the Thursday night exclusive interview.
“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 intended 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 was viewed as one that would restrict voters’ ability to participate in the elections, as the PDP fears that the restrictions could disenfranchise voters, particularly those affected by movement limitations on election day.
Inquiries sent to Lagos State Police Command Spokesman, SP Ben Hundeyin, to comment on these raised opposition’s concerns were not responded to as at press time then and even now. None of other appropriate authorities with connection to the elections was able to speak on the PDP’s allegations.
Electorate, who took to the social media to share their experiences and concerns, circulated videos revealing situation of the exercise in their parts of the state mainly Alimosho and Amuwo Odofin Local Governments.
The videos showed that as at past 12pm and 3 o’clock in the afternoon, despite journalists presence and police restriction of movements, there were no LASIEC officials at all the captured polling units.
In Unity Estate around Abule Odu in Alimosho, video capturing situation of the exercise pointed out that, “Front of Unity Estate nothing is happening. Unity Estate nothing is happening. We are all here waiting. After 12, nothing is happening and election has not started.”
Later when officials arrived, they were Neighbourhood officials without the electoral officials. “The people just came with Neighborhood people. But the people would the election, LASIEC, they are not here. We are waiting for them,” the video coverage revealed.
A motorized video coverage also revealed, at Apple Junction and parts of Amuwo Odofin Local Government, that whereas there were newsmen present to cover the voting exercise, no electoral officials were visible.
The male voice said, “There is no polling unit here. As you can see there are pressmen here but no polling units. I’m going to take another turn. As far as I’m concerned, Apple Junction, FESTAC Link Bridge down to Ago, there is no polling unit, no electoral materials.
“We have a few designated polling areas where people are supposed to vote, but from the look of things, I’m just driving, you can see I’m driving, I’m just going to Mega Chicken Polling Unit as well, no electoral materials, no INEC (LASIEC) officials. This is my third time here. This is supposed to be a pulling unit but there is no material and this is my third time here, this is almost 12, you can see people have been here since morning, no electoral materials, nothing is happening, you see guys over there playing football,” he showed.
Continuing he said, “I’m going to drive down to Ago and give you guys a view of what is happening. So, as far as I am concerned, Amuwo Odofin has been excluded from voting and I think it’s very, very deliberate.”
On his way to Ago he said, “I’m going to another polling unit now. This is me heading towards Ago, just to give you an idea of what these people are doing. And it will surprise you or I won’t be surprised that they are going to call out results from these places where there are no votes.
“Just stay tuned, I will do one more and then I will call it a wrap. This is my third time of coming out today to vote and there is absolutely no electoral materials, no INEC officials, just a few policemen on the road and other security men.”
In Ago he said, “Now this place is also supposed to be a polling centre, I just passed it and you can see that it’s dried. I’m going to turn towards Lake View Phase 2 to give you an update. There is also supposed to be a polling centre somewhere around here but nothing to show. I will stop by at Lake View Phase 1 to give you guys an update. I have seen a police officer there from around past 8 this morning, a female police officer, I don’t know if she’s still there. Oh! She is still there l, look at them, two of them. Let me speak to them,” he parked.
Returning he said, “I just confirmed that there is no electoral material. There are two police officers and one Labour Party member at this polling unit. So, I have gone round to check, myself, and have seen that a lot of the polling centre have no electoral materials or even INEC officials. I hope tfat by 3 o’clock, all of these will be resolved. Else, let’s not expect results from these areas,” he concluded.
A voice heard on another of the videos said, “We have more than thirty something polling units, no me operated.
The DEFENDER reports that the people chose helping themselves with posting, on social media, their experiences in the hands of handlers of Lagos State electoral matters because of loss of confidence even in ability of the main media to present their exact worries to other Nigerians and world to see.
