Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has lauded the peaceful and orderly conduct of the ongoing Local Government elections across the state.

The governor made this known after casting his vote alongside his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, at St. Andrew’s Primary School, Okepopo, Lagos Island, on Saturday, July 12.

Describing the process as smooth, the governor commended the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and security agencies for ensuring a calm and organized exercise.

“As you can see, everything is okay here. It’s a heavily populated area, of course, since we’re on Lagos Island, but the voting is going well. Everything is running smoothly. The officers are on ground, and I’ve carried out my civic duty properly,” Sanwo-Olu stated.

He noted the presence of party agents and election observers at polling units, emphasizing the peaceful atmosphere that has characterized the election so far.

“There are many observers around—people eager to learn from the process. It’s been extremely peaceful, and I expect it to remain so throughout the day,” he added.

While acknowledging reports of minor logistical issues in the early hours of the day, the governor expressed confidence that the problems had been promptly resolved.

“From what I saw on television before coming here, maybe there were one or two issues in some areas, but I believe those have been addressed. There hasn’t been any shortage of materials, and ad hoc staff are already at their polling units,” he assured.

Sanwo-Olu also praised media organizations for their coverage of the elections, comparing the attention given to that of national elections.

“You’ve taken this election seriously, treating it like a national exercise. Grassroots elections for councillors and chairmen are just as important and deserve the same level of attention,” he said.

Reflecting on the role of local governments in Nigeria’s democracy, the governor emphasized their constitutional importance and increasing performance across the state.

“Local government is a key arm of government. The Constitution recognizes their independence, and many of them are now actively delivering projects, competing, and aligning with our T.H.E.M.E.S agenda,” he said.

Speaking on the 25th anniversary of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Sanwo-Olu commended the agency’s resilience and relevance since its establishment.

“Twenty-five years is a significant milestone. Coincidentally, it was the current President who established LASTMA. Many other states have now adopted the model. They’ve had their challenges, but their overall impact has been positive,” he said.

He stressed the importance of synergy between traffic enforcement agencies and the public, adding, “Roads are shared public infrastructure. That’s why LASTMA, FRSC, and the public must operate with mutual respect. We’ll continue to support LASTMA to fulfill its mandate more effectively.”

As voting continues across Lagos State, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed optimism that the exercise would remain peaceful and that results would be transparently counted and announced later in the day.