A civic organization, De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, has filed a lawsuit against the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) over its intention to conduct local council elections in 57 local government and development areas, rather than the 20 constitutionally recognized local government areas (LGAs) in the state.
The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, is seeking to stop LASIEC from going ahead with the planned elections, which the foundation describes as unconstitutional, illegal, and a violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
In the originating summons marked FHC/L/CS/1012/2025, the plaintiff is asking the court to determine whether LASIEC has the legal authority to organize elections in the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), which are not recognized under the Nigerian Constitution.
Foundation seeks to uphold constitutional order
The De Renaissance Patriots Foundation argues that only the 20 LGAs listed in Part I of the First Schedule to the 1999 Constitution are legally recognized and that elections conducted in any other subdivisions are a breach of the constitutional framework governing the federation.
The foundation is asking the court for:
A declaration that LASIEC lacks the power to conduct elections in the 37 LCDAs;
A perpetual injunction restraining LASIEC from organizing or announcing elections in the 57 councils;
An order of the court directing LASIEC to limit its electoral activities to the 20 constitutionally recognized LGAs.
Why it matters
The lawsuit brings renewed attention to a long-standing legal and political debate surrounding the status of LCDAs, which were created by the Lagos State Government to enhance grassroots development but have not been formally recognized by the National Assembly.
Legal analysts say the case could redefine the operational boundaries of state electoral commissions and clarify whether state-created administrative units can be used as the basis for official elections.
The case is expected to come up for hearing in July at the Federal High Court, Lagos.
What are LCDAs and why are they controversial?
Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) are administrative units created by Nigerian state governments—especially Lagos State—to bring governance closer to the grassroots. In 2003, Lagos State increased its councils from 20 constitutionally recognized Local Government Areas (LGAs) to 57 councils (20 LGAs + 37 LCDAs).
However, the 1999 Constitution only recognizes the 20 LGAs listed in its First Schedule, and any changes to this list require National Assembly approval, which Lagos has not obtained. Critics argue that elections in LCDAs violate federal law, while the state defends them as necessary for local development.
