Lagos council poll: LASIEC presents Certificate of Return to elected chairman, Councillors

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), on Monday presented Certificates of Return to all the victorious 57 local government chairmen and 377 councillor of the various political parties in the last Saturday council election in the state.

This is as the chairman, of LASIEC, Hon. Justice Ayotunde Phillips, has commended residents of the State, particularly leaders of Political Parties, their members, the Electorate, Royal Fathers, Religious and Community Leaders, Security Personnel, Election Personnel, the press and other stakeholders for their support towards the successful conduct of the elections.

Before handing over the Certificates, Justice Philips, noted that the election was one of the most peaceful in the history of Lagos State, adding that the election was free and fair.

She charged the elected chairman and councillors to strive and fulfilled their promises to the electorates, adding that the commission had fulfilled its mandate.

She said, “I congratulate you all for the victory in last Saturday’s election, you have brave odd to win the election, it was peaceful and free and fair, one of the best in recent time. But I want to implore you to strive and deliver on your promise the people.”

Speaking to The Daily Times, the newly elected chairman of Orile Agege LCDA, Sunday Babatunde said his focus would be on empowering the youths through skills acquisition, adding that he would also set up a committee to find modalities for improving the internally generated revenue of the council.

The event which was held at the LASIEC secretariat in Yaba, was attended by the supporters of the elected officials and party officials.

A breakdown of the election result shows that while the All progressive Congress (APC), won all the 57 chairmanship seats, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), won four councillorship positions, while the Accord Party also won three councillorship sit.

Still speaking on the performance of the commission, the political parties and the people, Justice Phillips said that in fulfillment of her pledge at different fora prior to the day of the elections that the Commission would provide a level playing field, the Commission worked tirelessly to guarantee fairness and justice for all the political parties and their candidates.

She also expressed satisfaction at the spirit of comraderie and brotherhood displayed by the agents of political parties at the different polling units where she and members of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON) monitored the elections, stressing that “this is the right way to go if we really desire development and growth in the various communities of the State.”

The chairman congratulated the winners in the elections on their victory. She also urged them to display magnanimity in victory and regard their success at the polls as the will of God.

She counselled the unsuccessful candidates to demonstrate the spirit of good sportsmanship and patiently look forward to another opportunity in the future.

She pledged the commitment of the Commission towards ensuring continuous improvement in the electoral process at the Local Government level of the State.

Pursuant to the Local Government Elections Tribunal Law Cap L75 (Laws of Lagos State, 2004), the chairman advised that any political party that has any grievances should forward such to the Elections Petitions Tribunal as the Commission has no power to settle any disputes arising from the conduct of the elections.