The African Action Congress (AAC) Chairman in Lagos State, Ayoyinka Oni, has condemned the just concluded local government election in the state, citing widespread incompetence and irregularities.

According to Oni in a statement on Sunday, the election was characterised by the late arrival of electoral officials, with some polling units receiving officials as late as 12 pm.

According to him, this led to widespread discouragement among voters, many of whom left before the officials arrived.
Oni also alleged that adhoc staff complained of receiving ballot papers late and not being provided with funds, further highlighting the electoral body’s incompetence.

He noted that some party logos were missing from the ballot papers, which eroded public confidence and led to voter apathy.

The AAC chairman described LASIEC as a “shame to democracy,” citing the absence of accreditation processes and the alleged collection of bribes by LASIEC staff.

He accused the electoral body of allowing APC agents and thugs to rig the election, with security lapses and violence reported in some areas, including Ikosi-Isheri Mile 12 and Ajeromi Ifelodun.

Oni called for the immediate cancellation of the election, citing non-compliance with electoral laws and guidelines.
He demanded the resignation of LASIEC Chairman Justice Bola Okikiolu Ighile (RTD) and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for appointing an incompetent electoral body chairman.

He said: “LASIEC officials came to the polling units at 12pm and many others even later. The issue of lateness caused a wide spread discouragement to lots of electorates, as they had to go back home before the arrival of the LASIEC officials. This was done intentionally to disenfranchise the voters.

“When Adhoc staff were challenged they complained of receiving ballot papers late and also some of them said they requested for funds in the morning and they were not given. You can imagine the level of incompetence.

“Some party logos were not on the ballot paper. The lack of preparation which the public are aware of, eroded public confidence, as this brings about voters apathy in the State.

“LASIEC is a shame to democracy. What kind of sham election is this! No form of accreditation. Anybody can just present anyone’s PVC as far as you claim the name on the voters list and vote, or many even voting without any voters list checked.

“We were aware that LASIEC isn’t ready for any credible election through the manners in which they handle the screening process and validation and what has happened today so far is just a confirmation of what we already know.

“LASIEC staff were not hiding the disgusting way of collecting bribes, it shows decadence and lack of integrity within the State electoral umpire. They clinically and shamelessly allowed the APC party agents and thugs to rig the election.

“We are calling for the total cancellation of the sham election conducted by the LASIEC, it can’t be called free talk less fair. The election didn’t follow the guidelines of the electoral law and also the training manual of LASIEC.

In many centers there was no displacement of the voters details while many of the officials colluded with APC to rigged.

“It is disheartening as the time countries around the world are gearing towards better and stable democracy, here we have LASIEC dismantling our already fragile democracy. All political parties asked to sign the hypocrisy “Peace Accord” prepared by the LASIEC while All Progressive Congress APC was quick to sign and turn to inflicting injuries on opponents and causing chaos everywhere during the election.”