The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission has sought guidance from the Independent National Electoral Commission regarding the emergence of three factions within the Labour Party as the July 12 local government elections in the state approach. This action by LASIEC underscores the challenges posed by internal divisions within political parties for the electoral process.

Speaking during a stakeholders forum held in Ikeja on Thursday, the LASIEC Chairman, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (retd.), revealed that the commission had received invitations from three separate LP groups to monitor their primaries, prompting the agency to seek clarification from INEC. This situation highlights the conflicting claims and leadership within the Labour Party in Lagos State.

“Today they (the LP) invited us, unfortunately, it’s just a faction of the Labour Party that invited us,” she said. “On our records, we have three factions with different sets of names, and because of that, we had to forward a letter to INEC for advice, and we are awaiting (a response on) that. Without that, we cannot participate in any primary. And this, we had intimated each faction.” Justice Okikiolu-Ighile’s statement clarifies LASIEC’s predicament in recognizing and engaging with the divided Labour Party.

Justice Okikiolu-Ighile explained that the commission could not observe the LP primary because of the unresolved internal crisis. This non-participation indicates LASIEC’s neutrality and adherence to due process in the face of political infighting.

“We have three sections of the Labour Party. We have now written to INEC to advise us on what faction we should interact with. Because of that, we did not attend the primaries of that sect of the LP, because we cannot entertain three sections of a party. That’s why we were not there today,” she added. The LASIEC Chairman reiterated the commission’s stance on engaging with a unified party structure.

Despite the internal divisions, she confirmed that the Labour Party had indicated its intention to participate in the elections. “The LP party will participate. They have shown their intention to participate. What I just stated was to explain one of the reasons we were not at their primaries,” she stressed. This confirms the Labour Party’s overall involvement in the upcoming local government elections, despite the internal disagreements.

She disclosed that 19 registered political parties would be participating in the upcoming elections. “We have 19 registered parties (participating in the LG elections),” she said. This provides the total number of political parties expected to contest in the Lagos State local government elections.

LASIEC also confirmed that it would observe the Peoples Democratic Party and Social Democratic Party primaries scheduled for Saturday. “The PDP, we have their letter indicating that their primary is on Saturday, as well as the SDP. By God’s grace, we will attend, only as observers.” This indicates LASIEC’s readiness to monitor the primaries of other political parties in the state.

She said the commission had already monitored the All Progressives Congress councillorship primaries last Saturday. “So, we were at ACME (APC secretariat) last Saturday, and all our EOs were at different wards where the councillorship primaries took place. At primaries, we just attend as observers, we don’t have any advice, we don’t have anything to tell them but to observe that a primary has taken place,” she said. This outlines LASIEC’s role as an observer during political party primaries, ensuring transparency and adherence to electoral guidelines.

Meanwhile, civil society group Enough is Enough Nigeria has raised alarm over legal and procedural concerns surrounding the July 12 election. This intervention by EiE highlights potential challenges to the legitimacy and fairness of the electoral process.

In a Thursday statement, EiE expressed “deep concern over the unfolding issues surrounding the forthcoming 2025 Local Government elections in Lagos State, particularly regarding the legal basis of the election timetable and the lack of transparency.” This statement underscores EiE’s worries about the legal framework and openness of the electoral preparations.

While commending LASIEC for complying with the 90-day notice provision, EiE’s Senior Media Associate, Tosin Adeyemi, warned that the commission may be in violation of federal law. This suggests a potential conflict between state and federal electoral regulations.

“The 92-day interval between the notice and the election date appears to satisfy LASIEC’s internal legal framework,” the statement read. This acknowledges LASIEC’s adherence to its own regulations regarding the election timeline.

However, it noted, “Section 150 of the Electoral Act 2022 mandates that State Independent Electoral Commissions, including LASIEC, must adhere to the same procedures as those governing elections into Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory.” According to Section 103(3) of the Act, such elections must occur between 150 and 30 days before the expiration of current officeholders’ tenures. This points to a specific provision in the federal Electoral Act that EiE believes LASIEC might be contravening.

“With the current tenure of Local Government Chairmen and Councillors in Lagos State due to end on July 27, 2025, the lawful election window, per the Electoral Act, is between February 25 and June 25, 2025. The announced date of July 12 falls outside this legal window,” EiE stated. This analysis by EiE indicates that the announced election date might be outside the permissible timeframe stipulated by the federal Electoral Act.

The group also criticised LASIEC’s unilateral release of election guidelines, noting that the Inter-Party Advisory Council had condemned the commission’s failure to consult political stakeholders. This highlights concerns about the inclusivity and transparency of LASIEC’s decision-making process.

They called for the immediate publication of the revised LASIEC Law and demanded clarification on the legal standing of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). These demands aim to ensure greater transparency and legal clarity regarding the upcoming elections.

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who appointed members of the Commission, should ensure they are abiding by their sworn mandate,” the statement added. This final statement by EiE calls on the state governor to ensure LASIEC adheres to its legal obligations.