Tension is rising ahead of the forthcoming Local Government elections in Lagos State as opposition parties have raised the alarm over a plot by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to disenfranchise their candidates during the ongoing validation process.
According to eyewitness accounts from the validation venue, LASIEC is imposing unnecessary bottlenecks that are hindering the confirmation of candidates’ eligibility.
Speaking to SaharaReporters on Monday, a source at the venue alleged, “LASIEC is frustrating other political parties with their useless validation process, keeping people from morning till late night without any positive achievements.”
In video footages obtained by SaharaReporters, frustrated opposition candidates and their supporters were seen shouting in protest, expressing their displeasure in Nigerian Pidgin.
In one of the videos, they were shouting, “You no go do us ojoro!!!”, a popular chant condemning electoral manipulation.
Another clip showed angry crowd members chanting “APC ole”, which translates to “APC thief”, a direct accusation against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State.
The source further disclosed that LASIEC had demanded fresh documentation that had already been submitted well in advance.
The source told SaharaReporters that the validation process was so slow that candidates had to be kept sitting or standing from morning till late night without any successful progress, hence, “the people started agitating.”
“Meanwhile, what they are asking for has been submitted by all candidates over a month ago when they gave us a deadline for submission of all documents,” the source said.
“To our surprise, instead of using their porter to verify all the documents, they resorted in asking every candidates to come with the original copies of some documents and also a photocopy of the voter’s card of the 10 sponsors requested on the LASIEC documents which has been filled and submitted over a month ago.”
A document obtained by SaharaReporters outlined LASIEC’s validation requirements for aspirants.
The requirements include curriculum vitae; birth certificate (25 years old for councillors and 30 years old for chairmen); party membership card.
Others are permanent voter’s card (PVC); Sponsor’s voter’s card (10 for councillors and 20 for chairmen); educational qualification/certificates (minimum of SSCE/School cert); letter of disengagement from previous employment (if the candidate is from the public service).
Also required were personal data from (LASIEC 001) relevant information, signed and endorsed by commissioner of oaths/notary public, and two passport photographs.
The Lagos local council elections, scheduled to hold on July 12, are considered crucial in shaping grassroots governance in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
LASIEC had previously assured stakeholders of a transparent and inclusive process, calling on all political parties to fully participate.
However, these recent allegations by opposition parties have cast doubts over the commission’s neutrality and preparedness.
The ruling APC, which dominates all tiers of governance in Lagos, has often been accused of using state institutions to maintain its grip on power.
The validation controversies have only deepened existing concerns about the credibility of the forthcoming elections.
As of press time, LASIEC has yet to issue a formal response to the allegations.
Meanwhile, opposition parties are calling for immediate reforms and independent oversight to ensure that the electoral process remains fair and accessible to all contenders.