Lagos APC Confirms Local Government Elections Across 57 Councils in 2025 Amid Ongoing Legislative Debate

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has clarified that local government elections will take place in 2025 across all 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state. This announcement was made by the APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, on Sunday, addressing growing speculation about the status of the LCDAs and their eligibility for elections.

Commitment to LCDAs

Ojelabi reaffirmed the party’s commitment to the LCDAs, describing them as vital to grassroots development. He emphasized their contributions to the socio-economic and infrastructural growth of the state since their creation.

“Our landscape is dotted with several infrastructural projects by the LCDAs, including roads, drainage systems, schools, markets, housing projects, primary education, health facilities, and social interventions,” Ojelabi said.

He also highlighted the collaborative efforts of LCDAs with the state government in areas such as refuse disposal, drain clearing, and security, pointing to their ongoing relevance.

Speculations Addressed

The APC chairman dismissed rumors about the exclusion of LCDAs from the 2025 elections, labeling them as unnecessary distractions. “We hope this release will put paid to further speculations as regards the local government elections in order not to unnecessarily heat up the polity,” he stated.

Ojelabi urged party members and residents to focus on peaceful coexistence and maintaining Lagos’s leading position in the federation.

Legislative Proposals Stir Controversy

The announcement comes amidst legislative discussions in the Lagos State House of Assembly about replacing the LCDAs with Area Administrative Councils through a proposed Local Government Administration Bill.

The bill, titled A Bill for a Law to Provide for Local Government’s System, Establishment and Administration and to Consolidate All Laws on Local Government Administration and Connected Purposes, seeks to restructure local government administration in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling on financial autonomy for local governments.

The proposal has faced opposition from political stakeholders who argue that replacing LCDAs could undermine the grassroots impact they have achieved over the years.

The Path Forward

While the APC leadership has pledged to uphold elections in all 57 councils, the legislative process regarding the restructuring of local government administration continues. Observers are closely monitoring how the proposed bill and the forthcoming elections will shape the future of grassroots governance in Lagos.

This announcement reinforces the state’s commitment to inclusive governance and underscores the APC’s stance on preserving the LCDAs as integral components of Lagos’s political and developmental framework.