The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has officially launched Volume 5, Issue 2 of its flagship publication, the Leadership Approval Rating (LAR) report, titled “From Apathy to Action: A Reform Blueprint for SIECs and Community-Level Democracy.” The report presents a stark portrait of public dissatisfaction with the performance of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) across Nigeria, calling for urgent and far-reaching reforms to restore trust and safeguard grassroots democracy.
Speaking at the unveiling event in Lagos, HEDA’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Sulaimon Arigbabu, described the latest findings as a wake-up call to political leaders, electoral bodies, and institutions of democracy.
According to the report, while 87% of 1,423 respondents correctly identified SIECs as the bodies responsible for local government elections, only 45% believe these commissions are truly independent, and a mere 41% trust them to deliver free and fair elections.
“These numbers reflect a critical trust deficit,” Arigbabu said. “When independence and transparency are in doubt, legitimacy collapses — leading to public apathy, poor governance, and democracy hijacked by vested interests.”
Despite the troubling statistics, the survey captures a hopeful and reform-minded citizenry. With 59% of respondents under the age of 35 and 92% holding tertiary education, the report reflects a youthful and informed demographic calling for credible democratic processes at the grassroots.
Key demands from respondents include: Genuine autonomy for SIECs, free from state executive interference; Deployment of tamper-proof digital systems for election result collation and transmission; Targeted grassroots voter education to combat electoral apathy and manipulation; and Strong accountability frameworks with strict sanctions for electoral malpractice
In fact, some participants went as far as proposing the abolition of SIECs and transferring their functions to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), citing consistent political interference and lack of transparency.
As the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) prepares to conduct local government elections this Saturday, July 12, 2025, HEDA has urged the Commission to seize the opportunity to break from the past and deliver a free, fair, and credible election.
“We call on LASIEC to rise above skepticism and demonstrate that a state electoral body can act with integrity and independence,” Arigbabu stated. “This election is a litmus test for LASIEC and a chance to restore public confidence in democratic institutions.”
HEDA also appealed to security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to maintain neutrality and ensure the safety of voters, observers, media, and polling agents. “Voter intimidation or suppression in any form must not be tolerated,” Arigbabu warned.
Furthermore, civil society organizations were charged to remain vigilant, professional, and prompt in monitoring and reporting any irregularities, stressing that election observation plays a vital role in safeguarding democratic integrity.
“This report is not just research documentation, it is a national call to conscience. The people have spoken. It’s time for institutions to act. This moment must mark our collective shift from apathy to action.” Arigbabu emphasized.
