Elections into the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas of Lagos State commenced on what was described as slow pace on Saturday with voters trickling in at polling centres across the state. Part of the reasons for this was blamed on the lack of preparedness by Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) by a councillorship candidate for the People’s Democratic Party, Mr. Bolaji Ogunojo, who said this was responsible for the voter apathy being witnessed in the election. The Lagos State Government had announced restriction of movement across the state between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, to enable hitch-free conduct of elections into positions of chairmen and councillors in all the state’s 57 LGAs and LCDAs. Accreditation and voting started at 9. 10 a.m. at Zion African School, Alaagba, Iyana-Ipaja’s wards F 026 and 027 Polling Units in Agege, but there were few voters on ground. Police authorities in both Lagos and Ogun States said they have deployed personnel and logistics to ensure adequate security necessary for lives and property during and after the conduct of the election. It was observed that Police and Neighbourhood Corps personnel were present at some polling units to ensure hitch-free voting.
As at the time of filing this report, Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is on ground at the Ward Unit 09, Ward L2, Lateef Jakande Avenue, Ikoyi, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state to cast his vote.
In Ogun State, it was observed that many residents were in violation of restriction of movement ordered by the State Government in respect of today’s local government elections.
The Ogun State Government on Friday directed that there should be no vehicular movements from 7 am to 4 am on Saturday.
However, in Abeokuta, the State capital several persons, and commercial drivers were seen moving passengers to different parts. Some shops were observed opened and running businesses.
At various roadblocks mounted by soldiers, policemen, and traffic regulatory agents, a large number of vehicles were stopped for defying the restriction of movement order.
Meanwhile, security operatives are making frantic efforts to enforce the restriction order.
