As Lagos State prepares for the Local Government elections on July 12, 2025, this is more than just another political exercise; it is a defining moment for our democracy, a chance to reaffirm our collective commitment to grassroots governance, transparency, and civic responsibility.

Local government is the closest tier of government to the people. It is where decisions directly affect everyday life, from sanitation and healthcare to education, roads, and security. Yet, local elections often suffer from poor turnout, public indifference, and distrust. We must change that narrative. The future of our communities depends on it.

To the people of Lagos, especially the youth and first-time voters, now is your time. The power of your vote is not limited to presidential or gubernatorial elections. Real democracy begins at the ward level, where elected councillors and chairpersons make decisions that impact your streets, your schools, and your healthcare centres.

Your vote is your voice. Don’t leave your future in the hands of others. Whether you live in Surulere or Epe, Ikeja or Badagry, your vote is the key to electing credible, competent, and accountable leaders.

Under the leadership of Hon. Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (Rtd), the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has the critical responsibility of conducting a free, fair, and transparent election. The Commission has already taken important steps, training electoral officers, strengthening internal systems, and engaging communities.

But more is needed.

Now is the time for an aggressive, inclusive voter education campaign. LASIEC must deploy every communication tool, town hall meetings, local language radio broadcasts, social media, religious gatherings, and marketplaces, to ensure that every eligible voter knows not just how to vote, but why it matters.

Logistical excellence is also non-negotiable. Materials must arrive on time. Polling units must be fully staffed. Voters must not face unnecessary delays or confusion. A single logistical failure can damage public trust and taint the credibility of the outcome.

As Justice Okikiolu-Ighile aptly reminded her officers, “You are the mirror of the Commission in the field.” Their integrity and professionalism will determine whether voters trust the process or question it. Every electoral officer must embody the Commission’s values of fairness, transparency, and accountability.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has consistently championed democracy, good governance, and the rule of law. His administration’s THEMES+ agenda emphasises participatory governance, and that must begin at the grassroots. His call for LASIEC to embrace technology, foster stakeholder collaboration, and improve transparency should be pursued with urgency. Digital innovations such as biometric verification, real-time result collation, and online voter information can help eliminate fraud and boost public confidence.

To political parties and their candidates: this election must not be treated as a battleground. It is a platform for vision, leadership, and service. Let your campaigns focus on issues, not insults. Violence, hate speech, and vote-buying must be rejected. Lagosians are watching. Nigeria is watching.

Civil society groups also have a vital role to play, monitoring the process, educating voters, and providing independent oversight. Let voter education reach every corner, from bus parks to markets, from campuses to community centres.

Religious and traditional leaders remain powerful voices. Their influence can unite, inform, and mobilise. Let mosques, churches, and palaces become centres of civic enlightenment. Let Friday sermons, Sunday services, and cultural festivals echo the call to participate peacefully and wisely.

And to the young people of Lagos, those who marched in protests, those who demand jobs, infrastructure, and justice, this is your moment. Change is not only born out of protest. It is sustained through participation. If you want a say in how your community is governed, you must show up. Register. Mobilise your peers. Vote. Your ballot is your strongest protest.

July 12 is not just a date. It is a test. A test of our institutions, our leaders, and our commitment as citizens. Will we show up or stay silent? Will we demand accountability or recycle mediocrity? The choice is ours. And the future will remember it.

Let us work together, LASIEC, political parties, civil society, media, community leaders, and voters, to ensure these elections are peaceful, credible, and inclusive. Let us demonstrate once again that Lagos not only leads in economy and culture, but in democratic excellence.

Because the journey to a better Lagos starts at the grassroots, let’s walk that path together.

Rasak Musbau writes from Ijaiye-Ojokoro, Lagos.