Voter turnout was notably low at several polling units along Governors Road, Ikotun, during Saturday’s Local Government Elections in Lagos State. At Polling Unit 004, Ward A1, located near Anishere bus stop, only 22 voters had cast their ballots by midday, according to officials of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC). At a nearby unit—Ward A4 at Whitehouse bus stop, only 20 voters had participated as of the same period.
Despite the heavy security presence and timely arrival of election materials, the atmosphere remained subdued, with officials and party agents expressing disappointment over the sparse attendance. “We turned up early with all the materials, but the turnout has not been encouraging,” one LASIEC official said under the condition of anonymity. Another added, “We’ve recorded just 20 voters since morning. There’s no violence, no disruptions, just silence.”
This local trend reflects a broader pattern of civic apathy observed across Lagos. In other areas, such as Lagos Island East, similar reports emerged, with polling units recording turnout in the single digits, despite hundreds of registered voters. Political observers and residents have attributed the low engagement to widespread disenchantment with local government performance, lack of voter awareness, and the perception that local elections lack impact compared to national or gubernatorial contests.
In parts of Surulere and Ikorodu, residents admitted to deliberately abstaining, citing doubts that their votes would bring meaningful change. Nonetheless, the elections proceeded peacefully across the state, with no reports of violence or major disruptions. While the calm was welcomed, the low participation signals deeper concerns about public confidence in local governance and the value placed on grassroots democracy in Nigeria’s most populous state.
