By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Following the July 12 Local Government Elections in Lagos State, political tensions remain high as stakeholders, community leaders, and opposition voices raise concerns about the credibility of the electoral process and the growing political apathy among citizens.
The elections, organized by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), were marked by widespread reports of low voter turnout, alleged irregularities, and public disillusionment. While the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) secured victory across the state, reactions suggest that the win may have come at a cost — the erosion of public trust.
Prominent journalists, political commentators, and grassroots advocates have called for a shift in political engagement, invoking Thomas Jefferson’s principle of transforming negative circumstances into opportunities for positive reform. They emphasized the urgent need for political actors to move from hostility and suppression toward building inclusiveness and restoring trust.
“Apathy must be converted to interest, and hostility to acceptance,” a community leader told KosofePost, summarizing the widespread sentiment across various platforms.
Interestingly, some APC members have been commended for openly acknowledging the shortcomings of the electoral process. One such voice is Oloye Salami, whose candid remarks have been praised as a bold step away from the party’s official stance.
“Coming from within the ruling party, your words carry weight,” said Ambassador Moyosore Badejo (MOG) of the Labour Party in Kosofe. “The last local government election was nothing to celebrate. It revealed the widening gap between the people and the political class. Voter turnout didn’t just decline — it collapsed.”
Badejo warned that persistent manipulation, candidate imposition, and weak governance are undermining public confidence in the electoral system. “When people give up on voting, they seek other means to make their voices heard. At that point, no political structure is safe,” he added.
Echoing similar concerns, Hon. Okufuwa Samad Oluwatoyin stated, “There’s a popular saying — every day is for the thief, but one day is for the owner. The APC can continue to celebrate falsehood, but they must remember that change is inevitable.”
Atuegbu James also urged political leaders to shift their focus from consolidating power ahead of the 2027 elections to addressing the country’s worsening economic conditions. “There is hunger in the land,” he said. “Citizens are not happy. The manipulation in candidate selection, where unqualified individuals are rewarded for their loyalty to party leaders, is worsening public frustration.”
The post-election conversation draws a clear line for the ruling party: listen and reform or risk deepening discontent among an already disengaged electorate.