By Peter Dansu The All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken an early lead in the ongoing Lagos State local government elections across the...
By Peter Dansu
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken an early lead in the ongoing Lagos State local government elections across the 57 councils, with preliminary results trickling in from various polling units by late afternoon.
Despite a generally low turnout reported in many areas, APC appears to be dominating in major council areas including Ikeja, Yaba, Somolu, Agege, Bariga, Olorunda, Badagry, Badagry West and Lagos Island. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who cast his vote at his polling unit in Adeniji-Adele, acknowledged delays experienced during the early hours of the exercise, attributing them to logistical challenges.
At polling unit 006, St. Stevens Nursery and Primary School in Adeniji-Adele—where the governor voted—early results showed APC clearly ahead, followed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) in third place.
Reacting to the process, APC’s Chairmanship candidate for Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Adebayo Adefuye, described the election as peaceful, smooth, and well-organized. He praised the voter turnout in his area and unveiled his grassroots development agenda titled "Yaba tuntun," which he described as a roadmap for a better, reformed Yaba.
However, in Badagry Local Government, the PDP Chairmanship candidate, Hon. Barr. Abayomi Medemaku, has strongly raised concerns over what he termed widespread electoral malpractice, particularly allegations of double voting.
In a detailed statement posted on his Facebook page, Medemaku alleged that some top APC functionaries in Lagos State orchestrated acts of double voting across several communities in Badagry, including Jegba, Posukoh, Ikoga, Pota, Ajara, Yafin, and Awhanjigoh.
According to him, “From Jegba to Posukoh to Ikoga to Pota through Ajara, Yafin, Awhanjigoh, my team and I have received several calls of double voting orchestrated by some top Lagos State government functionaries whose polling units fall in Badagry.”
He claimed that the aim was to inflate APC's vote count and suppress the growing popularity of PDP candidates in the area. Medemaku expressed disappointment that security agencies allegedly turned a blind eye to complaints lodged by PDP agents at several polling units.
“It’s a shame that despite the huge resources deployed by the APC in Badagry, they still couldn’t run a clean and fair election. The handwriting is on the wall—PDP Badagry is no pushover,” he stated.
The PDP candidate vowed to challenge the outcome legally if the process is not corrected, saying his team is currently gathering evidence and preparing for possible legal redress. “We urge our agents and canvassers to remain calm and continue documenting all irregularities,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Medemaku thanked the electorates in Badagry who defied pressure and voted for the PDP, insisting that if the polls were held fairly multiple times, his party would consistently emerge victorious.
As collation continues across the state, all eyes remain on the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) for official announcements in the coming hours.
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