Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday inaugurated the Chairman and members of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), urging them to leverage their professional knowledge, expertise, and experience to ensure the integrity and credibility of the state’s electoral process.
Sanwo-Olu emphasized that credible elections are the foundation of sustainable development and reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting LASIEC in fulfilling its mandate.
The LASIEC team, which will oversee the forthcoming local government elections in Lagos State, is chaired by Justice Bola Okikiolu Ighile. Other members include Mr. Samson Ajibade, Mr. Akin Durojaiye Oluwo, Dr. Olumide Olusola Metilelu, Mr. Abeeb Dapo Aileru, and Hon. Oladele Adekanye.
Additionally, the governor swore in three newly appointed Permanent Secretaries: Mr. Abdul Rafiu Omowole Fashola, Mrs. Kaphayah Olayemi Sarumi, and Mr. Abdul-Rasheed Abiola Muri-Okunola. He urged them to adopt creative approaches to effectively implement the state’s THEMES+ Agenda.
During the swearing-in ceremony at Lagos House, Ikeja, Sanwo-Olu reminded the appointees to be guided by a strong sense of duty, justice, and dedication to the people of Lagos State. He encouraged collaboration to build a state where every voice is heard, and every vote matters.
He said, “LASIEC stands as a pillar of our democratic framework, entrusted with the noble duty of organising free, fair, and credible local government elections. This is not just an administrative task; it is a sacred responsibility that shapes the future of our communities. I recall vividly the excitement and hope in the air during our last local elections, a testament to the power of democratic participation. This is the spirit we must nurture.
“As you assume this critical role, I urge you to prioritise transparency, fairness, and impartiality. The credibility of any electoral process is the cornerstone of its acceptance. Your actions must reflect the highest standards of integrity and accountability. To this end, I encourage you to leverage technology to enhance efficiency and reliability. For example, exploring biometric voter registration can significantly enhance accuracy and prevent fraud, while online platforms can improve voter education and access to information.
“Furthermore, fostering robust collaboration is essential. LASIEC must work in synergy with all stakeholders.
“This means establishing regular consultations with political parties to proactively address concerns, partnering with civil society organisations for effective voter education campaigns, and maintaining open communication channels with the media to ensure transparency throughout the process.”
The governor urged the new Permanent Secretaries to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics, provide sound and impartial advice, ensure effective implementation of government policies, foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, and prioritise service delivery.