The ongoing Local Government elections in Lagos State have reignited discussions around ethnic inclusion and political ownership, as Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the prominent Igbo socio-cultural organization, voiced concerns over the alleged exclusion of Igbos from the electoral process. This claim has, in turn, triggered familiar refrains from sections of the Lagos polity asserting that “Lagos is not a no man’s land.”

While official statements from the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and various political parties have consistently called for the participation of all eligible residents, regardless of their ethnic background, Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s recent lament suggests underlying tensions persist. Though specific details of the alleged exclusion were not immediately public, such complaints typically revolve around issues of voter registration challenges, perceived disenfranchisement, or the marginalization of candidates from non-indigenous ethnic groups.

The “Lagos not a no man’s land” assertion is a recurring mantra often heard in the state’s political landscape, particularly when discussions on the rights and political participation of non-indigenes, especially the Igbos who form a significant economic and residential bloc, come to the fore. Proponents of this view emphasize the historical ownership and indigeneity of the Yoruba people over Lagos, even while acknowledging its cosmopolitan nature.

Ahead of Saturday’s polls, political leaders like the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, had urged candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to “Engage with everyone in the community, regardless of their ethnic background or religion.” This call for broad engagement underscores the recognition of Lagos’s diverse population and the need for all communities to feel a sense of belonging in the democratic process.

However, the lament from Ohanaeze Ndigbo indicates that despite such appeals, some segments of the non-indigene population feel sidelined or unfairly treated in the political arena. Such allegations, while sometimes disputed by electoral bodies or ruling parties, highlight the complex interplay of demographics, politics, and identity in Nigeria’s most populous state.

As results from the LG elections continue to trickle in, the debate over ethnic inclusivity and equitable representation in governance remains a pertinent conversation in Lagos, shaping perceptions of fairness and political integration in the state.