Crisis Rocks Lagos LG Polls As Labour Party Exposes LASIEC, INEC Alleged Complicity
LAGOS, Nigeria — A political storm is brewing ahead of the forthcoming local government elections in Lagos State, as members of the Labour Party (LP) loyal to Senator Nenadi Usman’s caretaker leadership have accused the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of collusion, corruption, and gross misconduct.
In a fiery press briefing held at the LASIEC office in Lagos, Hon. Nifemi Adeyemi, LP Chairmanship aspirant for Ikorodu West, declared both electoral bodies “compromised and corrupt,” alleging that nomination forms were issued to a sacked faction of the party in blatant defiance of a Supreme Court judgment.
“This is to notify the general public that LASIEC Lagos is no longer an independent body. LASIEC Lagos is a corrupt entity. INEC is a corrupt entity,” Adeyemi thundered. “To our greatest surprise, yesterday LASIEC gave a nomination form to a different faction. A faction that was sacked from the Labour Party by the Supreme Court… Nigeria has become a lawless country.”
Adeyemi further claimed LASIEC’s Chairperson, Mrs. Bola Okikiolu, told them she acted on directives from Abuja. However, lawyers from the Usman-led faction reportedly confirmed that INEC in Abuja denied issuing any such instruction.
Comrade Titi Oworu, Lagos State LP Women Leader under the Rotimi Odunaike-led caretaker committee, also voiced her frustrations. According to her, INEC had earlier stated that none of the four existing factions would be recognized until June 9. “They are giving one faction forms. They should give the rest too. Give the four of us,” she demanded, questioning the fairness of the process.
“They are not giving us answers. We have been here since 9 a.m. We will return on Monday with all our members, candidates, and escorts,” she warned.
Assistant Secretary of the Lagos State LP Caretaker Committee, Comrade Onafowokan Gbenga, added that LASIEC’s actions could render the entire electoral process null and void. “If this goes to court, the Supreme Court ruling will nullify all the candidates from this process. This is a calculated move to favor APC,” he alleged.
The party members demanded transparency and proof of authorization from INEC. “If there is a directive, let LASIEC produce a written letter. If not, give us our nomination forms. We are ready to pay,” Adeyemi added.
Meanwhile, a statement from the Lagos LP caretaker committee pointed to a previous LASIEC letter signed by Bola Ikgile, affirming that no faction would be issued forms until INEC’s clarification. The committee now says LASIEC has violated this commitment, suspecting “monetary inducement” behind the sudden reversal.
“It is sad that LASIEC, headed by a retired judge, would engage in such illegality,” the statement read. “There are rumors of money exchanging hands between LASIEC and the other faction. All our requests for an INEC authorization letter were denied, reinforcing our belief that none exists.”
The Labour Party is now calling on Lagosians and civil society organizations to rise against what it describes as a “deliberate attempt to disenfranchise” its candidates. “We will not allow Nigeria to become a one-party state,” Adeyemi concluded.
As the June 9 INEC deadline for internal party resolution looms, pressure is mounting on both LASIEC and INEC to restore public confidence and uphold electoral integrity in the face of intensifying allegations and a fractured opposition. The Lagos State Government has yet to comment on the controversy.
