The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says it is fielding candidates in the 20 local government areas in Saturday’s local government council election in Lagos State, in compliance with a Supreme Court judgement.
The Lagos State Independent Election Commission (LASIEC) is conducting elections in the 20 LGs and 37 local council developments in the state.
15 out of 18 political parties are participating in the ongoing local government election.
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 election.
Mr George Ashiru, the Lagos State Chairman of ADC, indicated that the party’s choice to field candidates in the 20 local government council areas was informed by the Supreme Court’s verdict on local government autonomy, which was delivered in 2024.
He stated that the judgement reaffirmed the constitutional recognition of 774 LGAs across Nigeria, including 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 mentioned 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 they had strength in some areas.
“The party chose to abide by the constitution and focus our participation on the recognised councils,” he said.
Ashiru called on 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) remains 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 fielded 22 chairmanship and 130 councillorship candidates, while the Zenith Labour Party nominated six chairmanship and 21 councillor candidates.
Other political parties with accepted candidates, according to LASIEC, include Accord, African Action Alliance, Allied People’s Movement, and All Progressives Grand Alliance.
Others included the Social Democratic Party, National Rescue Movement, Young Progressives Party, Youth Party, Action Peoples Party, and ADC.
