LASIEC to Hold Bye-Elections in Ibeju-Lekki, Odi-Olowo-Ojuwoye Before Year-End
By Taiwo Olapade
The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has announced plans to conduct bye-elections to fill the vacant councillorship seats in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government and Odi-Olowo-Ojuwoye LCDA before the end of the year.
The vacancies arose following the sudden deaths of Zainab Shotayo of Ward H in Odi-Olowo-Ojuwoye LCDA and Oluwakemi Rufai of Ward C in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government.
LASIEC Chairman, retired Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ interactive forum held in Sabo, Yaba. She was represented by Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Samson Ajibade, who assured that the Commission would uphold fairness, transparency, justice, and accountability in the conduct of the elections to further strengthen democratic practice in the state.
Justice Okikiolu-Ighile explained that the forum was convened to deliberate on the conduct of the bye-elections with input from key stakeholders. She also extended condolences to the bereaved families, friends, and political associates of the deceased councillors, while noting that their demise created a vacuum that must be constitutionally filled for effective representation.
On his part, LASIEC Commissioner in charge of Media, Publicity, and Voter Education, Chief Akim Durojaiye Oluwo, confirmed that the chairmen of the affected councils had officially notified the Commission of the deaths. While acknowledging that LASIEC is still handling post-election litigations from the July 12 council polls, he urged political party leaders to mobilize their members for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) to strengthen the electoral process.
Speaking on the framework for the elections, Mr. Abeeb Aileru, Chairman of Political Contact, said Section 28(3) of the Constitution provides that notice of a bye-election must be issued not later than 14 days before its conduct. He outlined sixteen steps that will be strictly followed, including issuance of notice, publication of election guidelines, meetings with political parties, release of nomination forms, validation of candidates, security arrangements, display of the voter register, conduct of the election, and issuance of Certificates of Return.
Similarly, Mrs. Oluwakemi Ademusire clarified that Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees the existence of local governments and mandates that vacant positions be filled when they occur. While the law stipulates that bye-elections be held within 30 days of a vacancy being declared, she noted that precedents show slight delays do not invalidate the process. She emphasized that LASIEC remains committed to conducting a credible poll in due course.
During the question-and-answer session, Accord Party Chairman in Lagos, Mr. Dele Oladeji, expressed dissatisfaction with the July 12 local government elections and questioned the credibility of upcoming bye-elections under the same arrangements.
Responding, LASIEC Commissioner Hon. Oladele Adekanye defended the Commission’s record, stating that the July 12 polls were fair by all standards, and advised aggrieved parties to seek redress at the election tribunal rather than at the forum.
Also speaking, LASIEC Commissioner Prince Adewale Ojora maintained that the July 12 elections were among the best ever conducted by the Commission. He pledged intensified sensitization in the affected wards to encourage voter participation and urged political parties to mobilize their members to fulfill their civic responsibilities.
The stakeholders’ forum had in attendance the Lagos Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), representatives of political parties, traditional rulers from Ibeju-Lekki and Odi-Olowo-Ojuwoye, security agencies, and the media.
