On Saturday, July 12, over seven million registered voters across Lagos State will be called upon not just to cast a ballot, but to make a profound statement about the future of governance and the kind of communities they envision for themselves and their generations to come.
Local elections, though often eclipsed by the spectacle of presidential and gubernatorial contests, remain the most intimate and immediate expression of democracy. In the last Local Government elections held in Lagos in 2021, voter turnout hovered at just around 11 per cent, despite a pool of over 6.5 million eligible voters.
This apathy starkly contrasts with the fervour of national elections. But if governance is truly about the people, then the closest government to the people—the local government —should matter the most.
Every four years, under the guidance of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, Lagosians are entrusted with the democratic responsibility to elect leaders who will govern the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas, including councillors in wards across the state.
These councils, each with its administrative structures, are the engines of grassroots development, tasked with delivering essential services and fostering real-time solutions to community needs.
Coming into this year’s election, LASIEC is better positioned with stronger systems, deeper reforms, and bold new steps to rebuild public trust. A landmark stride in this year’s preparation was the expansion of polling units.
With 13,325 polling units now dotting the state across 376 electoral wards, access has been significantly improved, ensuring that voters can participate in the democratic process with greater ease and dignity.
While voter accreditation is expected to be swiftly and efficiently conducted using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System – a biometric device that verifies identity using fingerprint or facial recognition, real-time result transmission from polling units will be implemented via digital portals, ensuring a transparent and tamper-resistant process.
To support fair access, special arrangements have been made to prioritise voting procedures for the elderly, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities, with the help of voter assistants. These thoughtful additions signal a growing awareness that inclusion must be more than a slogan; it must be action. All these measures send a clear message that every vote will count, and every voter will be respected.
Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, Lagos State has become a benchmark for credible elections in Nigeria, consistently supporting reforms that ensure the integrity of the process. The 2021 general elections, widely reported to be largely peaceful, with stakeholders, including domestic observers and civil society organisations,
This momentum must not only be sustained but also expanded. The reforms are in place. The systems are set. Now, it is the citizens’ turn to complete the democratic equation by showing up. Among the 19 registered political parties, choices abound for every Lagosian over the age of 18 who holds a valid Permanent Voter Card because democracy is not measured only by how many names appear on the ballot; it is measured by how many hands reach for it.
Ahead of election day, eligible voters are encouraged to locate their polling units and make adequate preparations to arrive early for the morning exercise. Upon arrival at the designated polling station on election day, electoral officials, who are trained to maintain neutrality, will guide voters through the process.
Equipped with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System device, these officials will carry out voter accreditation efficiently and transparently. Once accredited, voters will receive two ballot papers – one for the Chairmanship election and the other for the Councillorship.
In the privacy of a voting cubicle, voters will make their mark with a simple thumbprint to affirm their belief in democracy. The drop of the ballot into that transparent box signifies that the people remain the true custodians of governance. And while voters may choose to stay as observers or head home, satisfied that they have fulfilled a civic duty, it is very important to uphold the spirit of peaceful participation throughout the process.
Democracy thrives in civility, and as such, it is a collective responsibility to vote in peace and with purpose; respect the rights of electoral officials and fellow voters, regardless of political affiliations.
Driven by the need to maintain law and order, proactive security coordination across the state has been prioritised by the state government. In strong collaboration with security agencies, a robust electoral security architecture is to be rolled out- a network of patrol units, surveillance teams, and rapid-response squads stationed across key flashpoints.
In light of the constitutional declaration of local government autonomy and fiscal independence, local government leadership now sits at the epicentre of meaningful, responsive governance. This election, therefore, is not just another electoral ritual—it is a turning point.
It is a moment for every eligible voter to help shape the ethics, priorities, and direction of local governance. It is a rare opportunity to choose leaders who will responsibly steward public resources and honour the mandate of the people.
In the timeless wisdom of the political philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, “As soon as any man says of the affairs of the State, ‘What does it matter to me? the state may be given up for lost.”
As ballot papers are unsealed in polling booths across the 57 local councils, what is truly unfolding is the collective will of the people. It is in these deliberate, quiet acts of participation that democracy is renewed and communities are empowered.
The journey to a more inclusive, accountable, and responsive system of local government does not begin in opulent offices or policy summits – it begins with everyday citizens who show up to take charge of their story.
From Agege to Lekki, from Epe to Badagry, let it be said that in 2024, Lagosians rose above indifference and chose to engage. So, come July 12, walk to your polling unit as a determined citizen and cast the vote that shapes the future and strengthens the soul of the Centre of Excellence.