The much-anticipated Lagos Local Government Elections got off to a sluggish start on Saturday morning, with several polling units in high-profile areas like Ikoyi and Obalende experiencing delays in the arrival of electoral officials from the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).
As at 8:51 a.m., polling centres around Awolowo Road in Ikoyi were largely empty. At Unit 29 near the Federal Service Club, only one party agent was spotted waiting for officials to begin the process. The story was much the same in parts of Obalende, where by 9:15 a.m., young people were still playing football on the road, with security operatives urging them to clear barricades and prepare for the day’s civic duty.
In contrast, some activity was recorded at polling units on Odo and Igbo Streets in Obalende, where both LASIEC officials and party agents were seen setting up for the day’s exercise—though voter presence remained minimal.
A calm atmosphere prevailed in surrounding locations such as Ije Market and Dodan Barracks. While traders cleaned stalls and vendors resumed business as usual, the area had a blend of civic expectation and everyday hustle. Elderly residents were seen in animated discussions about the importance of the local polls, adding a human face to the largely quiet morning.
Over in Ikorodu, election materials had arrived by mid-morning, but voting had yet to begin in parts of Ward A, especially around the Power Line area. Ad-hoc staff stated that the delay was due to the absence of chairs, which were expected to be supplied by party agents before accreditation and voting could commence.
Ballot papers at the polling units included the logos of four political parties: the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Registered voters per unit in some areas were as follows: PU 020 – 32 voters, PU 021 – 35 voters, PU 022 – 62 voters, and PU 023 – 57 voters. However, across these units, only a handful of citizens were seen waiting to vote as of 10:00 a.m.
Despite Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s public appeal encouraging Lagosians to participate in the grassroots elections, turnout remained low in several parts of the state. At the governor’s own Ward E3 in Adeniji Adele, a small crowd of loyalists gathered in anticipation of his arrival. By 10:00 a.m., he had yet to appear, although a visible police presence ensured security at the venue.
Today’s election is meant to fill 57 chairmanship and vice-chairmanship positions, as well as 376 councillorship seats across 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). Voting is scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., with provisions made for voters still in line at the close of polls to cast their ballots.
