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Friday, May 16, 2025

Confusion as Labour Party factions seek to join Lagos council polls

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to offer guidance soon after three rival factions of the Labour Party expressed intentions to contest in the forthcoming local government elections in Lagos State.

This was disclosed by the Chairperson of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (retd.), during a stakeholders’ engagement in Ikeja on Thursday.

Justice Okikiolu-Ighile explained that LASIEC received distinct notifications from the three Labour Party factions, each inviting the commission to observe their primary elections.

“Only one faction extended an invitation to us today,” she said. “Our records show three factions, each with different lists of candidates.

Due to this, we had to seek clarification from INEC, and we are currently waiting for their directive. Until then, we cannot observe any of their primaries.”

She further emphasised that LASIEC is unable to proceed with observing any Labour Party primary elections without formal recognition from INEC on the legitimate faction.

“There are three divisions within the Labour Party, and we’ve written to INEC seeking advice on which one we should relate to. That’s the reason for our absence at today’s event,” she noted.

Despite the internal party rift, the Labour Party has formally indicated its interest in participating in the July 12 council polls.

“They’ve made their intention to contest clear. I only highlighted why we didn’t attend their primaries today,” she clarified.

Justice Okikiolu-Ighile also mentioned that 19 political parties have confirmed participation in the elections. LASIEC officials will be present to monitor the PDP and SDP primaries scheduled for Saturday.

She added that LASIEC had already observed the APC’s councillorship primaries conducted across various wards last Saturday.

“Our role at the primaries is purely observational. We don’t interfere or provide recommendations, we simply verify that the primaries were held,” she explained.

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