Agency Report
African Democratic Congress, ADC, has explained why it fielded candidates in only 20 Local Government Areas in Saturday’s Lagos council election.
The decision, it said, was in compliance with a Supreme Court judgment that said the state had only 20 constitutionally recognised councils.
ADC, the adopted party of the national coalition struggling to wrest power from the All Progressives Congress in 2027.
The Lagos State Independent Election Commission reportedly conducted election in the 20 LGs and 37 local council development areas in the state.
Also, 15 out of 18 political parties reportedly participated in the election.
NAN reports that a document obtained from LASIEC shows that only 15 of the 19 political parties that initially expressed interest in the elections, submitted candidate lists ahead of the poll.
ADC chairman in the state, Mr George Ashiru, explained that the party’s decision to field candidates in the 20 local government council areas was guided by the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy delivered in 2024.
He said that that judgment reaffirmed the constitutional recognition of 774 LGAs across Nigeria, 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 said.
He noted that the ADC remained committed to upholding the rule of law and constitutional provisions in its political activities.
“In the beginning, we were against participation but our members and aspirants insisted on participating, especially those who felt that we have strength in some areas.
“The party chose to abide by the constitution and focus our participation on the recognised councils,” he said.
Ashiru urged LASIEC to conduct the election with transparency and impartiality.
“At the end of this election, people will rate the commission because, ideally, parties win in their areas of strength,” he added.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was the most represented party in the contest, fielding candidates in all 57 local councils and 376 wards.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) followed with candidates contesting in 45 councils and 259 wards.
The Labour Party presented 22 chairmanship and 130 councillorship candidates, while the Zenith Labour Party had six chairmanship and 21 councillorship candidates.
Other political parties with approved candidates, as listed by LASIEC, include: Accord; African Action Alliance; Allied People’s Movement; and All Progressives Grand Alliance.
Others were, Social Democratic Party; National Rescue Movement; Young Progressives Party; Youth Party; Action Peoples Party; and the ADC.
NAN
