The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has stated that its participation in Saturday’s local government elections in Lagos State was limited to the 20 constitutionally recognised Local Government Areas (LGAs), in accordance with a Supreme Court judgment affirming local government autonomy.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Lagos State Chairman of the party, George Ashiru, said the party’s approach was guided by the apex court’s 2024 ruling that upheld the autonomy and constitutional recognition of Nigeria’s 774 LGAs, including the 20 in Lagos.

“In line with the Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy, we chose to focus our campaigns and field candidates only in the 20 constitutionally recognised local government areas,” Ashiru explained.

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) is conducting elections across the state’s 20 LGAs and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). A document obtained from LASIEC confirms that 15 of the 19 political parties that initially expressed interest in the elections submitted final candidate lists.

Ashiru noted that the party had initially considered not participating in the polls, but was persuaded by members and aspirants with strong grassroots support in specific LGAs.

“In the beginning, we were against participation but our members and aspirants insisted on participating, especially those who felt that they had strength in some areas,” he said.

He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to constitutional compliance and legal principles, adding that the ADC decided to “abide by the constitution and focus our participation on the recognised councils.”

Ashiru also urged LASIEC to conduct the election with transparency and neutrality.

“At the end of this election, people will rate the commission because, ideally, parties win in their areas of strength,” he said.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is fielding candidates in all 57 local councils and 376 wards, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is contesting in 45 councils and 259 wards.

The Labour Party presented candidates in 22 LGAs and 130 wards, and the Zenith Labour Party is contesting in six chairmanship and 21 councillorship seats.

Other participating political parties include Accord, African Action Alliance, Allied People’s Movement, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Social Democratic Party, National Rescue Movement, Young Progressives Party, Youth Party, and Action Peoples Party.