LASIEC Accused of 'Moving Goalposts' in Local Election Guidelines – PDP Candidate Threatens Legal Action

By: Manoah kikekon 

Justice Mobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile LASIEC chairman and Abayomi Noah Medemaku PDP chairmanship candidate Badagry LGA 

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) is facing fierce backlash over alleged last-minute changes to candidate requirements for the upcoming July 12, 2025, local government elections. 

The controversy stems from a contentious demand for a "Sponsor’s Voter Registration Card" in LASIEC’s official guidelines a requirement now being challenged as legally invalid and misleading.  

In a strongly worded letter addressed to LASIEC, Abayomi N. Medemaku Esq., the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chairmanship Candidate for Badagry Local Government, accused the commission of attempting to "change the goalpost after the match has begun."

LASIEC election guideline

According to Medemaku, LASIEC’s published guidelines still visible on their website and posted at their Yaba office originally demanded a "Sponsor’s Voter Registration Card." However, since political parties (not individuals) sponsor candidates under Nigerian law, this requirement is impossible to fulfill, rendering it "invalid" from the outset.  

Instead of correcting the error, LASIEC allegedly reinterpreted the clause to mean "Nominator’s Voter Registration Card" without issuing an official amendment a move Medemaku describes as "illegal and shameful," particularly for an agency led by a retired judge, Justice Ighile.  

The PDP candidate has called on LASIEC to immediately drop the requirement in the interest of fairness, arguing that the commission’s mistake should not disqualify any candidates.  

**"Any attempt to use this invalid request to disqualify PDP candidates will be met with stiff resistance,"** Medemaku warned, vowing to take the matter to court if necessary.  

  

The controversy has sparked concerns over transparency and due process in Lagos’ local elections. Critics argue that LASIEC’s actions could disenfranchise candidates based on a technicality that was not clearly communicated.  

As the election date approaches, all eyes are on LASIEC to see if it will amend its guidelines or face a potential legal showdown.  

Medemaku’s final warns "A stitch in time saves nine"