Youth Party Accuses LASIEC Commissioners of Intimidation, Demands Accountability

The Youth Party has accused commissioners of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) of intimidation, unprofessional conduct, and procedural irregularities during a recent candidate screening exercise.

The party claims that LASIEC officials unexpectedly demanded Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and original academic certificates from all 20 of its nominees—requirements that were allegedly not outlined in the official invitation for the screening. According to the Youth Party, the request was made abruptly during the session, catching their candidates unprepared.

“When it was time for the screening, they suddenly demanded PVCs and original certificates, which were never mentioned in their official letter to us,” said party representative Mr. Adio. “When we politely questioned the process, the officials became hostile, yelled at us, and even threatened arrests. This is not how an electoral commission should operate in a democracy.”

Mr. Adio further criticized the behavior as discouraging to young Nigerians seeking to engage in governance. “If electoral officials threaten candidates with arrest for asking legitimate questions, what message are we sending to the next generation of leaders?” he asked.

Other Youth Party candidates, including vice chairman nominee David Oyebanji and councillor aspirant Jamiu Ayinde, reportedly faced similar threats and intimidation. Mr. Oyebanji described the atmosphere as “hostile and deeply unprofessional,” adding that the conduct undermined principles of transparency and electoral neutrality.

In response, the Youth Party is calling for:

• A public apology from LASIEC;

• An investigation and disciplinary action against the commissioners involved;

• Clear and written guidelines for all future screening exercises to prevent ambiguity and ensure procedural fairness.

The party emphasized the need for electoral bodies to uphold integrity, impartiality, and respect for democratic values, particularly when engaging with young and emerging political actors.

As of the time of this report, LASIEC has not issued a public response to the allegations.