With just hours left before the July 12 local government elections in Lagos State, serious allegations have emerged against the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC). Opposition parties, particularly the African Action Congress (AAC), have raised alarm over the commission’s alleged refusal to release polling agent tags to their representatives, while simultaneously granting early access to those of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement issued Friday, AAC accused LASIEC of acting in bad faith and sabotaging the electoral process. The statement, co-signed by the party’s State Secretary, Jegede Kehinde, and Chairman, Ayoyinka Oni, claimed the electoral body’s actions were aimed at frustrating opposition candidates and distorting the credibility of the upcoming polls.
The party leaders called out LASIEC Chairperson, Justice Omobolanle Abidemi Okikiolu-Ighile, over what they described as a coordinated attempt to disenfranchise their candidates and derail democracy in the state.
According to the AAC, the conduct of the commission since the beginning of the electoral exercise has fallen far below acceptable standards of transparency and fairness.
They noted that their candidates have been subjected to unnecessary stress, delays, and irregular screenings, despite complying fully with the stipulated guidelines. Many were forced to visit the LASIEC office multiple times, only to have their documents inexplicably rejected.
The party stated: “We declare without hesitation that no AAC candidate should be disqualified or unfairly penalized due to your office’s failings. The excuses for invalidation have been inconsistent. Although your office previously said disqualified documents won’t affect the candidates’ eligibility, the damage and frustration remain.”
In several wards across Lagos — including Oworonshoki, Lagos Island East, Ikosi-Isheri, and Shitta-Surulere — AAC noted that as of Friday, voters’ lists had not been displayed, a situation it believes could be a deliberate strategy to manipulate outcomes.
AAC further warned that any attempt to sideline their candidates or announce unpopular winners would be met with resistance.
The party emphasized that “over 90% of APC candidates have already been validated,” while theirs remain in limbo. “We find it suspicious and unacceptable. LASIEC still has time to redeem itself. If not, the people will respond forcefully.”
Sources familiar with the events told Chronicles Reporter that while APC agents received their tags early — some as early as Thursday — opposition party agents were made to wait for hours on Friday without resolution.
“LASIEC has been holding onto tags for other parties while APC received theirs hours ago. This isn’t the first time we’re witnessing this kind of biased treatment,” one source said.
Another visibly upset observer added, “It’s clearly intentional. Withholding tags is a way to make us vulnerable to arrests on election day. They don’t want us at the polling units legally — that’s the plan.”
AAC officials disclosed that they were asked to arrive at the LASIEC office by 2:30 p.m. on Friday for tag collection. However, as late as 4 p.m., there was still no sign of the tags or any official update from the commission.
“This is unacceptable. How do you expect agents to effectively carry out their duties when they receive tags a few hours before polls open?” the party lamented.
The AAC also addressed security agencies, urging them to remain neutral and resist being manipulated into suppressing opposition members.
“Security forces must act professionally. They are not tools for any political party. Their actions before, during, and after the polls must reflect fairness and neutrality,” the party stated.
The statement concluded with a firm declaration that AAC would not tolerate vote manipulation or electoral malpractice. The party vowed to defend the people’s mandate and resist every attempt to undermine the electoral process.
“We have campaigned with determination, even with limited resources and time. Any effort to hijack the will of the people will be confronted with strong and unrelenting resistance,” the party asserted.
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