That the All Progressives Congress (APC) has its tap roots in Lagos State and is strategically placed to win elections in the state is an understatement.
The reason being that since the advent of the current democratic dispensation in the country in 1999 the state has been ruled by the party which metamorphosed from Alliance For Democracy (AD), Action Congress (AC) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) before merging with other parties to form the APC.
The party has strong political structures in the state and it is firmly controlled by President Bola Tinubu who by virtue of his position remains the national leader of the party.
Over time, the party was able to consolidate on its firm grip to power in the state by having transformational leaders who served as governors starting from Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Babatunde Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode widely adjudged to have governed the state creditably and the current Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu whose footprints in the governance of the state are indelible.
Thus, it is very easy at any time for many political watchers and pundits to predict the outcome of elections in the state before they are conducted.
The party’s success at the recently concluded local government polls was not a fluke. During the campaign period the members embarked on what they called door-to door campaign and grassroots mobilisation spearheaded by the speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.
Obasa appealed to residents of the state to vote overwhelmingly for candidates of the APC in the local government elections conducted on Saturday, July 12, 2025.
Wooing the voters, he emphasised that the APC remained committed to grassroots development, adding that it had a proven track record of delivering dividends of democracy.
He noted that Lagos State continued to outperform other states in the country because of the consistent leadership quality of progressive-minded individuals who prioritise the welfare of citizens while in office.
“The incoming chairmen and councillors will perform if given the mandate to serve. At the primaries, we voted for those we trust and believe in. We urge Lagos residents to support them. Our party knows how to make life better for the people, and we intend to do even more,” he said.
The speaker at strategic meetings charged them to intensify their efforts through door-to-door campaigns and embark on grassroots mobilization to ensure victory at the polls.
LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that Obasa also made a generous financial contribution to candidates from Lagos West to support their campaign, just as he reassured them of the assembly’s unwavering support before and after the elections.
“Engage every member of the community, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Your focus should be on serving your constituents with integrity and commitment. You must also uphold democratic values and institutions,” he said.
Eventually, the collaborative efforts of the political stakeholders in the state paid off, as the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) led by the chairman, retired Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, announced at the end of collation of results that the APC secured a landslide victory in all 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas of the state.
LASIEC said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) only secured victory in Ward D of the Yaba LCDA, where its candidate, Babatunde Dosunmu, defeated the APC contender.
Ironically, Dosunmu happened to be an aggrieved former APC member who defected to the PDP shortly before the poll because he was denied the party’s ticket.
LASIEC described the elections as largely peaceful, despite concerns raised about voter turnout and alleged irregularities in some areas.
The newly elected council chairmen and councillors that have been given certificates of returns include, –Busola Adedeji Bukola for Bariga Local Government Area, Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA – Hon. Olamilekan Olu Akindipe, Alimosho LGA – Akinpelu Ibrahim Johnson, Ibeju Lekki LGA – Abdullahi Olowa, Kosofe LGA – Barr. Moyosore Adedoyin Ogunlewe, Badagry LGA – Babajide Hunpe, Mushin LGA – Hon. Haruna Olatunbosun Aruwe, Oshodi-Isolo LGA -Otunba Kehinde Almaroof-Oloyede, Ojo LGA – Hon. Princess Muhibat Titilola Rufai, Olorunda LCDA: Peter Kumayon, Lagos Island LGA – Hon. Taiwo Oyekan, Igando-Ikotun LCDA – Snr Comrade Lasisi Ayinde Akinsanya, Ifako-Ijaiye LGA – Prince Usman Akanbi Hamzat, Somolu LGA – Hon. Lateef Ashimi, Amuwo-Odofin LGA – Prince Lanre Sanusi, Lagos Mainland LGA – Alhaji Emilagba Jubril, Eti-Osa East LCDA – Hon. John Campos Ogundare, Badagry West LCDA – Hon. Rauf Ibrahim Kayode Yemaren,
Others are , Apapa Iganmu LCDA – Hon. Wale Jimoh, Epe LGA – Princess Surah Olayemi Animashaun, Lekki LCDA – Hon. Rasaki Bamidele Kasali, Ikorodu LGA – Prince Adedayo Abdullateef Ladega, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA – Hammed Aroyewun, Surulere LGA – Sulaimon Yusuf Bamidele, Agege LGA – Tunde Azeez, Ikosi-Isheri LCDA – Princess Samiat Abolanle Bada, Ikeja LGA – Akeem Dauda, Ejigbo LCDA – Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo
Basking in the euphoria of the victoty, the APC Chairman, Lagos State, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi assured that the APC would not take the trust of Lagosians for granted.
He said, “We worked hard for it and appreciate God for granting us strength and the wide acceptance shown by the people of Lagos State. We thank the people of Lagos for believing in our party and giving us this victory.”
Commenting on the victory, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said, ‘’I have received with joy and gratitude the news of the resounding victory of our candidates in the local government elections held across Lagos State on Saturday, July 12, 2025.
‘’I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and to our party leaders, stakeholders, and loyal members on this overwhelming electoral success.
‘’This outcome is a clear affirmation of the trust and confidence that the good people of Lagos have in the APC’s vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to inclusive development at the grassroots.
‘’Indeed, this victory belongs to the people of Lagos. It reflects your belief in our shared goals and your support for continuity, progress, and people-centered governance. I congratulate all our candidates, party members, and supporters across the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LGAs and LCDAs) for their dedication and contributions to this well-deserved triumph.’’
The governor urged the newly elected chairmen and councillors to be selfless, responsive and accountable in rendering service to the people.
Meanwhile, members of the state chapter of the PDP and other stakeholders have rejected the outcome of the election and threatened to challenge the outcome at the tribunal.
The party alleged that the process was manipulated to favour the APC.
The party chairmen in the 20 local government areas who spoke through Hon. Adegbesan Adegboyega described the election as electoral fraud, daylight robbery and assault on democracy.
Adegboyega said the local government election was not an election, but an orchestrated charade, a criminal conspiracy, and a coordinated attack on the sovereign will of the people, executed by the APC-led state government in connivance with compromised officials of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).
He explained that from the onset, it was clear that the APC had no intention of participating in a free and fair electoral contest, saying they activated their rigging machinery long before the first ballot was cast.
“What followed on election day was a shameful desecration of the democratic process: In broad daylight, APC-sponsored thugs brazenly invaded multiple polling units, snatching ballot boxes in the full glare of the public, and assaulted voters who dared to resist. These acts of thuggery occurred under the watch of security agencies and LASIEC officials, who turned a blind eye or out -rightly aided the attackers.
“In many areas across the state identified as PDP’s strongholds, there was ballot box stuffing on an unimaginable scale. Pre-thumb printed ballot papers were carted into polling units in bags, and LASIEC officials either stood aside helplessly or actively colluded in legitimising these fraudulent votes.” Adegboyega said.
The PDP stated that LASIEC had lost all moral standing and constitutional credibility to call itself an impartial umpire with the manner the election was conducted.
The party explained that LASIEC betrayed the sacred trust reposed in it by the people of Lagos State, saying, “Its officials were not just complicit—they were active participants in the systematic sabotage of the electoral process.
“Let it be made awbundantly clear that the PDP will not recognise this fraudulent election or any of its so-called “winners.” We have compiled detailed evidence, eyewitness testimonies, video recordings, and official anomalies to challenge and retrieve our stolen mandate through available civilised legal means.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should launch an inquiry into LASIEC’s operations. We also call on civil society groups, international observers and democracy watchdogs to speak out against this tyranny,” the party said.
A councillorship candidate from Ward F, Iwaya Alade Yusuf, alleged that the election was inconclusive in his ward as the votes were not collated but LASIEC announced the result.
Again, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) had during the election cried foul over the omission of its logo on the ballot papers. Its Lagos State chairman, Femi Olaniyi, accused LASIEC of deliberately excluding the party and vowed to challenge the election results in court.
“This is disenfranchisement. LASIEC has shut us out of the election entirely, ‘’ Olaniyi said, thereby giving credence to a growing chorus of opposition voices questioning the transparency and independence of LASIEC in the conduct of the poll.
For instance, former Lagos State deputy governor, Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, was among those who alleged disenfranchisement and expressed dismay over her inability to vote at her polling unit.
She said, “I went to my unit, and my name was not on the register. Several units were moved without prior notice. There’s a clear effort to rig the election in favour of one party.” Bucknor- Akerele called for the cancellation of the entire exercise, citing widespread logistical failures and targeted voter suppression.
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