LagosExplorer reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has recorded a landslide victory in the Lagos State local government elections held on Saturday, winning all 57 chairmanship seats across the state’s 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
This overwhelming triumph also extended to the councillorship contests, where APC clinched 375 out of 376 seats, with the lone exception being a single seat won by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ward E, Yaba LCDA.
The results were officially announced by Justice Ayotunde Phillips (Rtd.), Chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), who confirmed the ruling party’s clean sweep. The PDP’s solitary win in Yaba stood out as the only crack in an otherwise flawless APC performance, highlighting the intense grip the party maintains on grassroots politics in Lagos.
Despite the significance of the polls, voter turnout across the state was noticeably low. Lagosians largely stayed away from the voting booths, leading to widespread reports of empty polling units and minimal public engagement. Nonetheless, the elections were conducted peacefully, with security agencies confirming the absence of violence or electoral malpractice. Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, noted that police and other security personnel were deployed across the state to maintain order, including the use of gunboats in riverine areas to ensure full coverage.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, speaking after casting his vote, praised the peaceful nature of the elections and reaffirmed the state's commitment to democratic governance at the grassroots level. He emphasized that local councils play a critical role in bringing development closer to the people and expressed confidence that the newly elected chairmen and councillors would deliver on their mandates.
The APC’s commanding victory not only reaffirms its dominance in Lagos politics but also raises questions about the vibrancy of opposition politics in the state. Analysts suggest that the result reflects a well-established political structure and deep-rooted loyalty to the ruling party, but it also underscores the challenges facing alternative voices seeking relevance within Lagos's political landscape.
As the state prepares for the swearing-in of the newly elected officials, expectations are high that this electoral mandate will translate into tangible improvements in local governance, service delivery, and community development. Lagosians will be watching closely to see if the APC can back up its dominance at the polls with meaningful action on the ground.