Exactly one year after a pivotal Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy in Nigeria, Lagos State, the nation’s economic powerhouse, is abuzz as 7,060,195 registered voters head to the polls today, Saturday, July 12, 2025.
They will elect their representatives for chairmanship, vice-chairmanship, and councillorship positions across the state’s 20 local government areas (LGAs) and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs).
The elections hold significant political weight, particularly as Lagos is the home state of President Bola Tinubu, who governed the state for eight years (1999-2007) and is widely regarded as “Jagaban of Bourdillon” or the godfather of Lagos politics.
Lagos, situated in Nigeria’s Southwest zone, boasts a population exceeding 20 million residents and leads the country in internally generated revenue, having recorded N1.3 trillion in 2024.
The state serves as the headquarters for most financial institutions, telecommunications companies, international oil companies, and hosts major airports and seaports, alongside bustling markets.
The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) is overseeing today’s electoral process.
While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) manages federal and state elections, state electoral bodies like LASIEC are responsible for local government polls.
LASIEC Chairman, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, confirmed earlier this week that no political party was barred from participating. Data from LASIEC indicates that 15 of the 19 registered political parties nationwide have been cleared to contest the various positions in all 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs.
Unlike general elections, LASIEC will not be utilizing the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). Justice Okikiolu-Ighile stated that while “some electronics” would be used, the process could also revert to manual accreditation.
Acknowledging the persistent challenge of low voter turnout in local council elections across the country, Justice Okikiolu-Ighile expressed optimism that LASIEC’s outreach efforts and growing public trust would lead to increased participation this time. “We are ready. We have worked hard. Now, we urge Lagosians to come out and vote peacefully,” she urged.
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The last local government polls on July 24, 2021, saw the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) achieve a clean sweep, winning all chairmanship seats in the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs, and securing 375 out of 377 councillorship seats. However, opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), have pledged to vigorously challenge the APC’s dominance in the current elections.
According to LASIEC data, eligible voters with Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will cast their ballots across 13,325 polling units spread across 376 wards throughout the state.
The local government areas include Agege, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Alimosho, Amuwo-Odofin, Apapa, Badagry, Epe, Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Kosofe, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Mushin, Ojo, Oshodi-Isolo, Shomolu, and Surulere.
The Local Council Development Areas are Orile Agege, Ifelodun, Agbado-Oke Odo, Ayobo-Ipaja, Egbe-Idimu, Mosan-Okunola, Oriade, Apapa Iganmu, Olorunda, Badagry West, Eredo, Ikosi-Ejirin, Ikoyi-Obalende, Iru/Victoria Island, Lekki, Ojokoro, Onigbongbo, Ojodu, Igbogbo-Baiyeku, Ijede, Imota, Ikorodu North, Ikorodu West, Agboyi-Ketu, Ikosi-Isheri, Lagos Island East, Yaba, Odi-Olowo, Iba, Oto-Awori, Ejigbo, Isolo, Bariga, Coker-Aguda, and Itire-Ikate.
Among the notable individuals contesting in this election is Abdulganiyu Obasa, son of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, who is vying for the vice-chairmanship seat of Agege LGA.
