The Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, on Saturday voted at Polling Unit 002, Ward A4, in the Oke Balogun area of Epe.
Speaking to journalists, Hamzat described the election’s conduct as peaceful and encouraging.
LASIEC officials arrived with voting materials at 10:18 a.m. Accreditation and voting commenced simultaneously at 11:20 a.m.
Hamzat expressed optimism about the election’s outcome, saying he expected his party to win by a large margin.
In spite of the delay, he expressed satisfaction with the process and encouraged voters to participate.
“Voting has started and we just hope it continues smoothly. People are still voting, so I am encouraged. So far, so good. It’s early to assess turnout, but it’s been impressive and encouraging,” he said.
The deputy governor attributed the delay to logistical challenges faced by LASIEC. He noted that with around 800 polling units in Epe, the officials had much ground to cover.
“Election is about logistics, and people should understand that. They must ensure everything is in place and organised properly,” he said.
Hamzat urged voters to remain orderly and cooperate with LASIEC officials for a peaceful, violence-free process.
Security personnel were stationed at the polling units to maintain peace.
Obasa hails peaceful Lagos council elections
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has praised the peaceful conduct of the council elections in the state.
He gave the commendation on Saturday after casting his vote in the Lagos local government elections held on Saturday. The speaker described the process as commendable and encouraging.
Obasa voted at Polling Unit 019, Ward E, on Oluwole Olaniyan Street in the Orile Agege area of Lagos. Upon arrival, he briefly interacted with electoral officials and constituents before casting his ballot.
Speaking with journalists after voting, Obasa expressed satisfaction with the process, calling it peaceful and free of violence or irregularities.
“So far, the process has been peaceful and without any form of disruption. It is good to see citizens exercising their democratic rights,” he said.
He commended the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) for ensuring a smooth and well-organised electoral process.
The speaker emphasised that peaceful elections are crucial for democracy and good governance. He urged eligible voters who had not yet voted to come out and participate in the election.
“It is important we all take part. Voting is both a right and a responsibility. Everyone should fulfil this civic duty,” he said.
Obasa expressed confidence that the election results would reflect the true will of the people. He also stressed the importance of transparency, fairness, and credibility throughout the entire electoral process.
Mr Abdulganiyu Obasa, the speaker’s son and APC vice chairmanship candidate, expressed hope for a peaceful conclusion to the election.
LG poll: APC not responsible for parties’ failure to field candidates in Lagos – Chieftain
Mr Abolade Rufai, All Progressives Congress (APC) Party Secretary, Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, says the party is not responsible for failure of other parties to field candidates for the 2025 council poll in the state.
Rufai in an interview with NAN at the Ward D Poling Unit 042, on Saturday, said the APC focused much on its campaign and grassroots mobilisation rather than what is happening in other parties.
“The allegation that APC is distabilising other political parties is a fallacy. For instance, APC lost the last presidential election in Lagos state to the Labour Party and no one accused it of distabilsation.
“Even the Labour Party 2023 governorship candidate is still granting interviews. Did the APC try to stop him? APC will not be responsible if other parties perform poorly or otherwise in this election,” he said.
Rufai further said that failures of other parties to field candidates for the local government areas and LCDAs election due to their lack of internal democracy should not be laid at the doorstep of APC.
“We are not responsible for their political failures after all, their problem is not APC’s concern.
“Those parties should have come out to test their popularity in this election which is basically grassroots based, this is where politics starts and not from the top.
“APC will not put the houses of other parties in order, they have to do that by themselves.
“If our own house in APC is tidy, it is because we have done something differently and if they lack the capacity to put their houses in order, they should join us,” he said.
Rufai added that APC is ready to offer assistance in teaching other parties internal democracy and how it could be achieved.
“Our doors are open to everyone and members of political parties having internal wranglings.”
Rufai also gave the local government election turnout a pass mark, saying that the structure is much more different from other major elections.
“From experience, the turnout of local government elections since 1999 had always been considered low which is not a new thing.
“Presidential election always attracts larger turnouts because people are mostly interested in who would become their President, and also their governor.
“The electoral commissions have a lot to do to encourage massive turn out in council polls.
“For this election, people do come to vote and head back to their houses, they don’t have time to supervise because it is local, this is because the people they want to vote in are already known to them,” he said.
Only APC and the PDP fielded candidates in chairmanship and councilorship positions for the Onigbongbo LCDA.
PVC remains proof of civic responsibility, not party loyalty- Desmond Elliott
The member representing Surulere 1 Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Desmond Elliott, says the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) remains a proof of civic responsibility, rather than a measure of party loyalty.
Elliot said this shortly after casting his vote at Onitolo Nusery/ Primary School, Unit 009, in Surulere, Lagos, on Saturday.
The Lagos State Government is conducting elections for chairmanship and councillorship positions across all 20 local government areas and 37 local development council areas.
“PVC does not mean voting for my party. It means exercising your civic responsibility,” he said.
According to him, it’s unfair for individuals to seek government support without contributing to the democratic process through voting.
“You can’t sit at home and later come to seek help from people who others sacrificed to vote into power,” he said.
Elliot described the turnout of the election as slightly low but expressed optimism that more voters would show up as the day progressed.
The lawmaker noted that local government elections should attract more participation than presidential polls due to their direct impact on daily life.
“Development begins at the grassroots level. With powers and revenue now devolved to local governments, this election holds significant importance.
“The outcome of this election will have a direct impact on the lives of citizens, making it crucial for voters to exercise their franchise wisely and elect leaders who will prioritise their needs and drive development in their areas,” he said.
He advocated increased public discussion about the responsibilities of local governments, highlighting their critical role in primary healthcare, market management, and maintenance of inner roads.
The lawmaker commended the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) for the orderly conduct of the election.