The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission has presented Certificates of Return to chairmen, vice-chairmen, and councillors-elect across the 57 local councils in the state following last Saturday’s local government elections.
The presentation, held at LASIEC Headquarters in Sabo, Yaba, Lagos, was attended by party leaders, including the Lagos APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi; his predecessor and Chairman of the APC Campaign Council, Alhaji Babatunde Balogun; APC Secretary, Adeola Jokomba; and the Women’s Leader, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas.
In her remarks, LASIEC Chairman, Justice Ayobode Okikiolu-Ighile described the ceremony as a hallmark of democratic culture and the culmination of months of strategic planning and civic participation.
“This event is more than a ceremony as it is the hallmark of democratic culture culminating in the actualisation of resilient months of strategic planning, civic participation and institutional efforts,” she said.
She disclosed that the commission recorded a voter turnout of over 24 per cent in the election, compared to about 10 per cent in the 2021 exercise.
“This is unprecedented, meaning that people came out more than they did in 2021.
“The increase is due to our robust voter awareness campaigns that utilised public transport branding and billboards across the state.
“Favourable weather conditions, with no excessive heat or rain, also contributed to voters’ comfort on the Election Day.
“Despite some initial difficulties for voters in locating their units, LASIEC provided vehicles to transport them to the correct polling stations after verification, ensuring all eligible voters had the opportunity to cast their ballots,” she said.
Okikiolu-Ighile attributed the smoothness of the voting process to the increase in polling units, which rose from about 8,000 in 2021 to 13,325 in 2025, noting that it helped reduce overcrowding.
She also commended stakeholders including the Inter-Party Advisory Council, security agencies, civil society groups, youth and women organisations, persons living with disabilities, traditional rulers, and religious bodies for their contributions to the success of the election.
Okikiolu-Ighile praised the professionalism of LASIEC staff and over 45,000 ad-hoc personnel who managed logistics and operations despite early challenges.
“I personally visited numerous polling units and received video evidence confirming the increased participation,” she said, adding that local and international observers acknowledged the peaceful conduct of the election.
She also appreciated the support of security agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Army, Navy, Air Force, DSS, NSCDC, and Operation MESSA for maintaining law and order.
