Opposition Alleges Rigging As Tribunal Prepares To Hear Petitions
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) traded accusations on July 16, 2025, over the July 12 local government election results in Lagos, as reported by The Sun Nigeria. The APC swept 18 of 20 local government areas, prompting PDP and Labour Party leaders to reject the outcome, alleging vote-buying and voter intimidation in Alimosho and Agege. PDP’s Philip Aivoji announced plans to challenge the results at the tribunal, citing evidence of result manipulation. APC’s Seye Oladejo dismissed the claims, asserting that Lagosians voted freely.
The controversy, covered by Naija News, has drawn national attention, with analysts noting that local elections often signal trends for 2027. Civil society groups, including the Citizens Forum, called for an independent probe, citing low voter turnout of 15% in some areas. Social media reactions on X reflect public frustration, with Lagos residents demanding electoral reforms.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu promised to prosecute offenders, but opposition parties accused the state’s electoral commission of bias. The dispute underscores Nigeria’s electoral challenges, with stakeholders urging stronger institutions to ensure fairness. The tribunal’s outcome could affect Lagos’s political landscape, a key economic hub contributing 35% of Nigeria’s GDP. As legal battles loom, the PDP’s challenge highlights tensions between major parties, with implications for national democratic trust and voter confidence.
