LASIEC Denies Allegations of Unjust Disqualification of PDP Candidates, Reaffirms Commitment to Free, Transparent Elections
The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has responded to allegations made by a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), dismissing claims that the commission unjustly disqualified PDP candidates from participating in the upcoming local government elections scheduled for Saturday, July 12, 2025.
The rebuttal was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of LASIEC, Hon. Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (rtd), who described the allegations as “false and a misrepresentation of facts.”
According to the statement, the validation exercise for candidates presented by registered political parties commenced on Thursday, June 26, 2025, in line with the election timetable and guidelines released by the commission in April. The process, LASIEC explained, involves the validation of candidates and their submitted credentials in accordance with the Lagos State Independent Electoral Law, 2008 (as amended).
The commission acknowledged that some candidates from affected political parties failed to submit all the required documents due to what it described as “errors of omission.” These candidates, the statement noted, were advised to take advantage of a supplementary window scheduled for Tuesday, July 2, and Wednesday, July 3, 2025, after the conclusion of the initial validation exercise on Monday, June 30.
However, LASIEC said the affected candidates showed up prematurely on June 30—while the exercise was still ongoing for candidates from other political parties—and allegedly mobilized a large crowd that disrupted the peaceful conduct of the process.
“In an unfortunate turn of events, these individuals became impatient and mobilized into a huge, over-zealous crowd that began chanting slogans, thereby disrupting the peace and harmony of the commission,” the statement read.
LASIEC added that the protesters were eventually addressed and informed of the scheduled dates for the open window. The disruption, however, forced the postponement of the exercise for other political parties to Tuesday, July 1.
Reaffirming its neutrality and dedication to a credible electoral process, LASIEC assured Lagosians and stakeholders of its commitment to conducting a free, fair, and transparent election on July 12.
“Your voice, your vote, our mandate!” the statement concluded.
