Civil Society groups and other key stakeholders have advocated for a uniform four-year tenure for local government administrations across Nigeria, including in Lagos State.
This recommendation was part of a series of proposals aimed at strengthening the legal framework and enhancing the credibility of local government elections in the state.
The call for tenure uniformity was made in a communique issued after an advocacy roundtable held on April 30, 2024, organized by Yiaga Africa in collaboration with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), supported by USAID and FCDO.
Stakeholders argued that standardizing the tenure duration would promote stability, consistency, and effective governance at the local level, thereby enhancing service delivery and accountability to the electorate.
Alongside the tenure recommendation, the communique outlined other proposals, such as the urgent constitution of the leadership of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to enable proper planning and execution of the upcoming local government elections. Participants emphasized the need for appointed officials to be non-partisan, professional, experienced in election management, and individuals of integrity.
The communique also advocated for the establishment of a dedicated LASIEC Fund to ensure the commission’s financial independence, allowing it to adequately prepare for elections and inspire public trust in the process.
Additionally, it urged consistency between the proposed amendments to the Lagos State Electoral Commission Law (2008) and the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.
