Even with the restriction of movement, many voters stayed away from voting in the Lagos local government election held across the state on Saturday.
NewsGazette observed that even though markets were closed, many shops still opened in many places.
In Itire local council development area for instance, many Lagosians were seen hanging outside their premises unconcerned about the exercise while children of voting age turned the virtually empty streets to football pitches.
Speaking with our correspondents, some residents said they were only aware of the election when the restriction on movement was announced.
“The day before yesterday, the streets wore a carnival look with troupes of dancers in open van blocking everywhere. On the vehicles were posters of persons vying for political positions. It was then I knew that election was just by the corner. Prior to that, there were no signs that there was going to be any election,” said a resident who gave his name as Johnson.
Another resident who opened his shop for business said there was no need to vote because “Lagos is already a one-party state.”
“I don’t want to be disturbed; I don’t want to disturb myself either. In Lagos I buy everything. There used to be public water supply up till the time the former governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola left office in 2015. Since then, the taps have remained dry. So, let me hustle for money to buy water, pay inflated electricity bill, buy food at exorbitant prices and prepare for children’s school fees in September,” he added.
In some other areas like Amuwo Odofin, few voters who went out to vote complained that they could not locate their polling units while some could not find their names on the voter register.
Meanwhile, the state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu who voted at the polling Unit 019, Ward 9, Lateef Jakande/ Femi Okunnu Avenue, Ikoyi, noticed that the turnout was very abysmal.
Sanwo-Olu who spoke after he and his wife, Ibijoke, cast their ballot said: “I have noticed about four polling booths. I would not say they were crowded polling booths but all went on peacefully.
“Reports I have gotten so far in the last two hours are that things are going as expected.
There could be delay in terms of arrival of materials but we thank God we have started and I hope what we have seen here is what we will see in other polling units; that people will turn out and express themselves in the ongoing local government and councillors’ election in Lagos State. We are expecting that everything will go on well, free and fair.
“This is only time we can express ourselves freely. It’s a question of the encouragement and advocacy that we need to continue to give to our citizens. All the logistics have been provided, it’s just for our people to come out and exercise their franchise. We will continue to improve on the advocacy.
Responding to question on the serenity of the voting area, the governor said the construction of the Lateef Jakande Avenue was in fulfilment of his campaign promises to the people.
“What you have seen here is a reflection of what is happening in our local governments. Two years ago, this Lateef Jakande Road was not like this but we have constructed the road and we are doing the same thing in all our local governments. The whole idea around governance is to improve the life of our people and I am sure that we would continue,” he added.
