When most Nigerians talk politics, the conversation usually ends at “Who will be the President?” or “Who will be Governor?” Yet, the office holder who most directly shapes our daily realities is rarely mentioned.
In truth, the Local Government (LG) Chairman or Councillor – those at the grassroots level- are often the most visible and immediate form of governance we experience.
As the closest tier of governance to the people, the LG represents the smallest but most critical unit of administration. It stands as a cornerstone of responsive and inclusive leadership, precisely because of its proximity to communities.
This closeness enables it to better understand grassroots challenges, swiftly address local needs, and foster meaningful citizen engagement in the democratic process.
At the heart of effective LG lies the principle of regular, democratic elections. These elections empower citizens to evaluate leadership, reward performance, and replace officials who fail to meet public expectations. They serve as a continual reminder that public office is a position of trust, and that power ultimately resides with the people.
In the democratic landscape of Nigeria, local government elections are a vital instrument for deepening democracy and ensuring inclusive governance. These elections, held at the grassroots level, serve as the closest point of contact between government and the people, influencing decisions that directly impact daily life.
Despite the importance of these elections, they often receive far less attention than state or national contests. This lack of engagement weakens the foundation of representative governance, allowing unaccountable individuals to assume office and diminishing the quality of public service delivery at the local level.
Lagos State, like many other progressive city states, has embraced democratic local governance as a strategy to bring government closer to the people and consolidate democratic values. Interestingly, the political culture of the state reflects the understanding that local elections transcend mere formalities or ceremonial routines, but serve as an essential pillar to the health and resilience of the state’s democratic systems.
Aside from providing a platform for civic engagement at the grassroots, local elections in Lagos State have consistently given citizens the power to choose leaders who are directly accountable to them, thereby reinforcing the principle that governance must remain grounded in community realities and driven by public interest.
Remarkably, the forthcoming LG elections scheduled for Saturday, 12th of July 2024, in Lagos State presents yet another opportunity for Lagosians to shape the future of their communities.
Across the State’s over 13,000 polling units, eligible voters will head to the polls to elect chairmen and councillors for all 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs), 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), and 367 wards in the state.
When citizens participate in LG elections and remain engaged thereafter, they create a powerful feedback loop that holds leaders accountable, fosters transparency, and ensures that local governance remains truly representative and responsive.
Backed by a consistent track record of peaceful and credible elections in recent years, Lagos State has demonstrated its commitment to upholding democratic integrity and electoral transparency.
Despite fierce political competition in the 2023 general elections, for instance, the electoral process in the state remained largely transparent and orderly, with minimal disruptions and a commendable level of compliance with electoral guidelines and technological innovations.
Innovations like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC’s IReV portal have further strengthened electoral transparency and credibility. Independent observers confirmed that incidents of ballot snatching were minimal, and most collation centres operated transparently with access granted to party agents.
The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) now mirrors INEC’s tech espousal; modernising its operations with the adoption of technological devices permitted by law. Electronic voter registers, smart card readers and digital platforms for incident reporting have significantly enhanced the credibility of the process, making manipulation increasingly difficult.
Likewise, the state government has maintained a commendable record in ensuring electoral security. Over the last three state-wide elections, the state recorded only isolated incidents of unrest, with no widespread electoral violence.
Rooted in the belief that democracy must work for the people, the state government’s commitment to electoral integrity has fundamentally transformed the landscape of voting and significantly raised the risk of electoral malpractice.
The days of ballot box snatching, result sheet falsification, and multiple voting are fast becoming relics of the past in the state, as digital safeguards now make such manipulations increasingly difficult to execute undetected.
At the forefront of this transformation is the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and smart card readers. These devices link each vote to a biometric identity, whether fingerprint or facial recognition, effectively preventing multiple accreditations and impersonation. Once a voter is verified, their details are securely captured, ensuring that only eligible voters cast ballots.
Additionally, the introduction of real-time transmission of results has closed one of the most vulnerable gaps in the electoral process. With this system, images of result sheets are uploaded directly from the polling units to a central portal before they ever leave the premises. Any attempt to alter these results afterwards is immediately exposed and traceable, reinforcing transparency and accountability.
It is important, however, to emphasise that the electoral playing field can only be adjudged fair and accountable when citizens show up and use the tools at their disposal. Choosing not to vote in the grassroots poll may seem inconsequential, but in reality, it carries significant consequences for both individuals and communities.
When citizens abstain from the electoral process, they unintentionally create space for vote-buyers and political patrons to dominate the system.
Moreover, low civic engagement allows public resources to flow unchecked. Budgets meant for community projects, like boreholes, youth empowerment programmes, and market improvements, can easily disappear into private pockets because fewer citizens are watching, asking questions, or demanding accountability.
Voting, therefore, is not an act of charity or mere routine; it is a powerful expression of self-interest. It is how individuals assert their right to better services, transparent governance, and a future shaped by collective decision-making rather than elite convenience.
A thriving democracy depends on the active participation of all its people, and this includes every segment of society. As Lagos prepares for the LG polls on July 12, it is crucial to remember that democratic engagement begins at the ward level, and every qualified citizen must come alive to perform their civic duty with a sense of responsibility and purpose.
Every pothole that is fixed, every school that is renovated, every market that is improved, every health centre that is upgraded begins with your vote. Conversely, every abandoned project, every delayed salary, and every misused budget will trace back to silence at the polls.
Democracy is not a spectator sport. The distance between frustration and reform is often just the walk to your polling unit. You can either choose to change or accept whatever comes in your absence.
Therefore, mark Saturday, 12 July, not in pencil, but in ink. Mobilise your neighbours, remind your family. Let civic duty become a celebration of community. Let your vote speak on your street, in your local council, and across the Centre of Excellence.
Dear Lagosian, On 12 July, own your future. Come out and vote!
Tayo Ogunbiyi is Director, Features, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja