The Coalition of Political Parties in Lagos State (COPPILS) has called for the continuous education and enlightment of the electorate to avert voter apathy in future elections.
The group, comprising both registered and deregistered political parties, civil society organizations, and ethnic-based groups, said the the persistent apathy towards council polls is worrisome.
COPPILS said: “We advocate the formation of a tripartite engagement mechanism involving the state government, LASIEC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), NationalOrientation Agency (NOA), Civil Societies and other relevant stakeholders to strategise on voters education, awareness, and participation ahead of the 2027 general election.”
It added: “We must collectively take urgent steps to reawaken the public interest in the electoral process and remind our citizens that voting is not just a right; it is a civic responsibility and a powerful tool for change. We reaffirm our commitment to deepening democracy and strengthening democratic institutions in Lagos State and Nigeria at large.”
The group commended the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) for conducting free, fair, and credible polls in 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
The group saluted the leadership of Justice Bola Okikiola-Ighile and her dedicated team for their professionalism and commitment to electoral integrity in the face of challenges. COPPILS also commended the security agencies for their neutrality and professionalism throughout the electoral process, which contributed significantly to the peaceful conduct of the elections.
A statement by the chairman, Kola Ajayi, and secretary,Shola Omolola, congratulated the new chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors, urging them to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship and be magnanimous in victory.
Urging them to live to expectation, the group said “true leadership is measured by service and inclusivity.”
