The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) is on the hot seat for obvious reason. To conduct any election in Lagos, one of the most cosmopolitan states in West Africa, is a herculean task that must be diligently carried out.

Members of the commission were always carefully selected since the days of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Governor of Lagos State.

So, it wasn’t being sheer luck that the commission has delivered its mandate over the years.

History beckons on the 63-year-old retired justice, Mrs Mobolanle-Okikiolu-Ighile, to replicate and even surpass the achievements of her predecessors, who once chaired the commission.

Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile as she’s fondly referred to retired from the public service in 2022 at the age of 60 years. She joined a private law firm where she worked alongside other retired judges to offer consultations, especially in mediation and arbitration.

Her passion to continuing to serve the public received a big boost when Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu appointed her last year as the Chairman of LASIEC.

The governor urged the new board members to take advantage of innovative technologies to drive development.

He said: “I charge you to uphold the highest standards of professionalism. You are the new role models for the entire public service. Your conduct both on and off duty must reflect the values of integrity and transparency.

”Accountability must not be far away from you, and we believe this is the minimum that Lagos State demands of you,” Sanwo-Olu said.

According to him, credible elections are the bedrock of sustainable development, and we will continue to support LASIEC in fulfilling its mandate.

The governor charged the team to prioritise transparency, fairness, and impartiality in coordinating the upcoming local government elections across Lagos State.

Sanwo-Olu highlighted tools such as biometric voter registration and online platforms as vital to preventing fraud and improving voter education.

While appreciating Mr Governor for looking towards her direction to lead the commission, Justice Okikiolu-Ighile (rtd) in a recent interview stated that appointments like these aren’t something you apply for because they come with their own unique challenges.

She was quoted as saying: “I was honoured and grateful when I was appointed in July 2024 as Chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), and I returned from my holiday to take up the role. I see this appointment as a call to service, and I don’t take it lightly. The previous election cycle ended in 2021, and the next one will be in 2025. During that period, there was a lack of leadership, and we’re now working hard to get back on track. We’ve already started our work, and we’re determined to make a difference.

“Lagos State is a large, complex place with over 15,000 polling units. It’s a huge responsibility, but we’re doing everything we can to ensure a smooth process.”

True to her words, Justice Okikiolu-Ighile (rtd) alongside other commissioners – Mr Oladele Adekanye; Mr Akeem Durojaye; Mr Olumide Metileku; Mr Habeeb Ayileru and the Secretary, Samson Ajibade – have kicked the ground running since their inauguration by Governor Sanwo-Olu on January 10.

Her team reaffirmed commitment and readiness to conduct the Local Government elections in the state during tours to many local governments

In Ikorodu, Justice Okikiolu-Ighile (rtd) said the commission would soon engage stakeholders on voters’ education so as to encourage the public to come out en masse to vote during the elections.

The commission, she said, will organise orientation programme to educate the public on how to vote if they have relocated.

“I urge the public to also visit the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) portal to get things done properly before the date of the election. This is to enable them to exercise their franchise on that day,” she said.

At Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area, the commission chief has lauded the council boss, Dr Ahmed Apatira, for its proactive preparedness in ensuring a seamless and well-coordinated electoral process.

She urged the council chairman to sustain the existing peace and stability within the council before, during, and after the elections.

She emphasised that maintaining political tranquility was critical to fostering public confidence in the electoral system and ensuring voters could freely exercise their rights.

Justice Okikiolu-Ighile added that engagements of LASIEC with local governments across the state were designed to evaluate their preparedness and identify areas where further support might be necessary.

She reaffirmed the commitment of LASIEC to conducting a transparent, inclusive and credible electoral process.

“We call on the council boss to sustain the existing peace and harmony before, during, and after the elections. The commission’s visit is designed to assess the council’s election preparedness and foster stronger collaboration between LASIEC and the LCDA. This is as part of efforts to ensure a credible, free and fair electoral process ahead of the 2025 local government polls. The visit was aimed at assessing the council’s readiness for the forthcoming elections and strengthening collaboration between LASIEC and the LCDA,” she said.

The LASIEC Chairman also applauded the provision of a fully equipped office space and other essential materials, describing the efforts as crucial to enhancing the operational efficiency of electoral officers.

She also said that the visit centered on strengthening voter education, improving electoral logistics and ensuring security during the elections.

Having satisfied with what she has seen in some local government visited, the commission’s boss, however, expressed its readiness to hold the local government elections across the council areas when she led her team to Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

Justice Okikiolu-Ighile affirmed that LASIEC is ready to carry out its duties assuring that the election will be free and credible.

She went on to task the council authority on intensive voters’ education to complement the commission’s effort in eradicating or keeping voters’ apathy at the barest minimum.

She appreciated the council helmsman for the pleasant reception.

Isolo LCDA Chairman Adebayo Olasoju, congratulated the retired justice and the commission members on their appointments to steer the electoral body.

He relayed the earnest anticipation of contestants alike in the council area for election guidelines and modalities.

The council boss emphasised the importance of the electoral body to the continued existence and effectiveness of local governments.

He assured of maximum cooperation from all and sundry in the forthcoming polls.

Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government Wasiu Adesina, said his council had also put in place machineries for conducting hitch-free election in the LG.

“I want to appreciate the commission for their preparation. Over time, Ikorodu LG with its seven wards has been known for safe, hitch-free and credible election processes.

“My administration will not leave any stone unturned to ensure that this legacy is maintained and every electorate given the opportunity to exercise their franchise,” he said.

Adesina urged residents who had not registered for their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to go out and register, adding that mini buses would be provided by the council to convey people living far away from their polling units.

Vice Chairman of Itire-Ikate LCDA, Mrs Yetunde Jimba reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to facilitating a smooth election and fostering seamless collaboration with the electoral umpire.

Jimba assured LASIEC of the administration’s unwavering commitment to ensuring a smooth and fair election.

She reiterated the council’s readiness to collaborate closely with the commission in achieving a seamless electoral process.

Jimba further commented LASIEC for its proactive approach to election management, pledging the council’s full cooperation with the electoral body.

The vice chairman added that the Itire-Ikate LCDA remains dedicated to creating an enabling environment where both electoral officers and voters could participate in an open, transparent and fair electoral exercise.

She reaffirmed the council’s shared responsibility in upholding the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring that all necessary mechanisms were in place for a smooth election.

“As part of efforts to ensure a credible, free, and fair electoral process ahead of the 2025 elections, LASIEC, under the leadership of Justice Ighile, paid a working visit to our council aimed at strengthening collaboration between LASIEC and the LCDA,” she noted.

Meanwhile, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), an umbrella body of all political parties in the state, has urged LASIEC to promptly release guidelines for the forthcoming local government election.

Its Chairperson, Mrs Temilola Akinade, said timely release of election guidelines would enable parties to adequately prepare for the election

She said that members of all political parties in the state were impatiently expecting the guidelines.

“We are waiting impatiently to hear from LASIEC, to see its plans and programmes for the council election to enable leaderships of the various political parties to know what to plan on. The commission should round off its activities on time to avoid poor preparation by political parties,” she said.

According to her, political parties should have ample time to plan and campaign for the election.

“We should not for any reason, have less than three months for campaign activities,” she added.