Labour Party Confident of Strong Performance in Upcoming Lagos LG Elections...With the July 12, 2025, local government elections fast approaching in Lagos State, the Labour Party (LP) has declared its readiness and confidence in securing significant victories across the state.
Buoyed by its surprising gains during the 2023 general elections—particularly in Lagos where its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, won in key local government areas—the LP is aiming to translate its momentum into real political power at the grassroots level.
The party’s leadership in Lagos State has stated that candidates will be fielded in all 57 councils, which include 20 constitutionally recognized Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). According to Sam Okpala, the Labour Party’s state secretary, the party is not only prepared but fully focused on the elections, and it is organizing its internal processes to ensure the best candidates emerge. Screening exercises for councillorship aspirants are scheduled for May 10, while those contesting for chairmanship positions will be screened on May 14.
This announcement comes amid the party’s broader efforts to strengthen its internal structure and build a united front ahead of the polls. On May 9, the LP inaugurated a 24-member Caretaker Executive Committee tasked with steering the party through the election period. The committee is headed by Rotimi Odunaike, who now serves as the interim state chairman. According to party insiders, this committee was created to bring more coordination to the party’s activities, ensure smooth primaries, and foster unity across all local chapters.
Dr. Abdulkareem Onakoya, a key Labour Party figure in Epe, stated that the party is actively engaging communities and urging citizens to participate fully in the electoral process. He noted that the Labour Party’s candidates will be formally unveiled in the coming weeks, and that local mobilization has already begun in earnest. Onakoya expressed optimism that the party’s appeal to everyday Nigerians—especially those dissatisfied with the status quo—will be a key factor in the elections.
The party’s growing confidence comes in spite of recent internal challenges. The Labour Party has been dealing with national-level leadership disputes following a Supreme Court decision that removed Julius Abure as the party’s national chairman. Despite these legal and political hurdles, the Lagos chapter remains firmly under the leadership of Dayo Ekong, who has publicly reaffirmed her position as the state’s official party chair.
Ekong has issued a clear directive to all aspirants: they must follow the party’s official nomination and screening processes and channel their applications through the state party leadership. According to her, any candidate who bypasses established protocols will not be recognized. This move is seen as part of efforts to maintain discipline within the party and avoid factional disputes that have plagued other opposition platforms.
The Labour Party believes that the 2023 general elections marked a shift in the political dynamics of Lagos, and it is hoping to capitalize on that momentum. During the presidential election, Peter Obi won in several local governments traditionally dominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC), including Ikeja, Alimosho, Amuwo-Odofin, and Kosofe. That outcome, according to party officials, demonstrated the electorate’s desire for change and showed that LP has strong grassroots appeal.
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As the party prepares to challenge the APC’s long-standing control of Lagos local councils, political observers are watching closely to see how well the Labour Party can consolidate its popularity into actual wins at the local level. While the APC still has deep-rooted political machinery and incumbency advantage, the LP’s energetic base and growing appeal among urban voters may offer serious competition in several councils.
With candidate screening processes underway and community mobilization accelerating, the Labour Party is entering the final stretch of election preparations with optimism. Whether it can turn that confidence into electoral success will be determined in July, but for now, the LP is positioning itself as a serious contender in the race for control of Lagos’s grassroots governance.
