Lagos State Opposition Parties Reject Local Government Election Results as 'Assault on Democracy'

Strategic Insights -

The coalition of opposition political parties in Lagos State has voiced strong dissent against the outcome of the recently concluded local government elections, labeling the exercise as a deliberate attempt to undermine democracy. The coalition, comprising Labour Party, Accord, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, Allied Peoples Party, and Young Progressives Party, has denounced the results as fraudulent and the process as a 'meticulously executed charade' aimed at imposing the ruling party's will. The opposition parties alleged widespread irregularities, including deliberate sabotage, collusion between electoral officials and ruling party agents, and systemic disenfranchisement of opposition voters.

Key Takeaways:

  • The coalition of opposition parties in Lagos State rejected the outcome of the local government elections as 'a coordinated assault on democracy' carried out by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).
  • The opposition parties accused LASIEC of orchestrating widespread irregularities, including deliberate sabotage, collusion between electoral officials and ruling party agents, and systemic disenfranchisement of opposition voters.
  • In several local government areas, polling units opened hours late or failed to open at all due to the absence of essential materials such as ballot papers, result sheets, and ballot boxes.
  • Instances of ballot box stuffing, result tampering, and voter intimidation were reported, with Labour Party agents allegedly targeted for harassment.
  • The opposition pointed to the mysterious disappearance of names from the voters' register at numerous polling units, primarily in opposition strongholds, as a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise thousands of legitimate voters.
  • The coalition condemned LASIEC and its board for their public defence of the electoral process, calling it an 'insult added to the grievous injury inflicted on Lagosians'.

Statistics:

  • The coalition of opposition parties comprises Labour Party, Accord, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, Allied Peoples Party, and Young Progressives Party.
  • The opposition parties alleged that in several local government areas, polling units either opened hours late or failed to open at all due to the absence of essential materials.
  • The coalition reported instances of ballot box stuffing, result tampering, and voter intimidation across the state.
  • Thousands of legitimate voters were allegedly disenfranchised due to the mysterious disappearance of names from the voters' register.

Sources:

  • Labour Party (LP)
  • Accord (ACCORD)
  • Action Alliance (AA)
  • African Action Congress (AAC)
  • Allied Peoples Party (APP)
  • Young Progressives Party (YPP)
  • Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC)