Local Government Elections in Lagos State Scheduled for July 2025

Dear Mr. Speaker,

I write to you regarding the forthcoming Local Government elections in Lagos State, currently scheduled for July 2025.

Alongside a number of concerned stakeholders, we in the Lagos State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) challenge and do not concede the constitutionality of conducting elections into 57 Local Government constituencies as presently proposed by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), instead of the 20 constitutionally recognized Local Government Areas (LGAs).

Nonetheless, and without prejudice to our legal reservations, we in the PDP have resolved to participate in the upcoming elections.

This decision, which may appear contradictory at first glance, is informed by our deep commitment to the democratic rights of Lagosians. We believe that the people of Lagos must be given the opportunity to choose their representatives and be offered viable alternatives to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Our participation reflects our enduring belief in the importance of democratic choice, regardless of the imperfections of the process administered by LASIEC.

However, we must also draw urgent attention to the questionable legality and potentially adverse consequences of the APC-led government’s actions in proceeding with these elections on the basis of 57 LGs and LCDAs. This is particularly concerning in the context of the Supreme Court’s recent landmark ruling affirming the autonomy of Local Governments and mandating direct allocations from the Federation Account.

In our view, LASIEC’s current approach undermines this directive. Conducting elections in the 57 inchoate LGs and LCDAs rather than the 20 constitutionally recognized LGAs complicates the legal and financial status of local governance in Lagos State and may, in effect, prevent LGs from accessing direct funding from the Federation Account. Until the process of creating additional LGs, which commenced over two decades ago, is concluded through constitutional means, any LG elections conducted on a basis other than the 20 established LGAs will continue to obstruct the realization of true financial and administrative autonomy at the local level.

We therefore call upon the Lagos State House of Assembly to urgently intervene in this matter in the interest of justice, transparency, and good governance. The House’s position and subsequent actions should be made public to ensure Lagosians are fully informed and appropriately guided

Yours faithfully,

Funso Doherty

cc:

• His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State.
• Mr. Lawal Pedro SAN, Hon Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State