The 2025 Lagos State Local Government Elections witnessed a low voter turnout in several polling units across Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area on Saturday, with delays in the commencement of accreditation and voting reported in key locations as of 10:00 a.m.
Our correspondent monitoring the elections observed that no voting activities had begun in several polling units from Oluwole in Ogba, through College Road and Ojemuyiwa Street, down to White House in Haruna Bus Stop, all within the Ifako-Ijaiye area. Officials and security personnel were present at some polling stations, but voters were largely absent or trickling in slowly.
At Polling Unit 017, Ojemuyiwa Street, electoral officers were seen setting up materials, but no voter had been accredited or cast a ballot by mid-morning. The same situation was mirrored at Polling Units 009 and 012 along College Road, where a handful of residents loitered around, expressing uncertainty about whether the process would commence at all.
An electoral officer at one of the affected units, who spoke on condition of anonymity, cited logistical delays and poor mobilisation as part of the reasons for the late start. “Materials arrived late this morning, and we’re just setting up. We hope voters will begin to show up once things kick off,” she said.
Some residents who spoke to our correspondent blamed the poor turnout on a lack of awareness and voter apathy, with many saying they were not even aware that elections were holding today.
Observers say the low participation raises concerns about grassroots democratic engagement and the credibility of the local electoral process. Civil society organisations had earlier called on the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to increase public awareness ahead of the polls.
As of the time of this report, accreditation and voting had yet to commence in several polling units across Ifako-Ijaiye, with electoral officials assuring that the process would begin “soon.”
The Lagos State local government elections are expected to produce chairmen and councillors across the state’s 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas.
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