By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Low turnout coupled with delay in the arrival of ballot materials exacerbated apathy in the governorship and state Assembly ballot in the Ojodu, Ogba areas of Lagos.
Many felt this second and last leg of the 2019 federal elections was less important than that of the presidential and National Assembly (NASS) held on February 23.
Voting was supposed to commence at 8am. But for nearly two hours, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were not on the ground in about 20 polling units sighted by TheNiche.
Those who showed up to vote sat on chairs under canopies volunteered by locals, and waited.
Voting materials arrived at 10.38am in one of the polling units and only that and two others had begun to set up the materials by 10.47am.
TheNiche interviewed nine voters all the way from around Adebowale bus stop near Sabo Junction to Grammar School bus stop on Isheri Road.
Some attributed the delay to a grouse by National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members protesting non-payment of their allowance by the INEC which engaged them as ad hoc staff.
The INEC engaged NYSC members reportedly with a promise to pay them N50,000 each for the two legs of the elections – federal (N20,000), state (N20,000), plus a top up (N10,000).
The NYSC members demanded payment for the federal ballot on February 23 and a guarantee of payment for the state ballot, saying they did not trust the INEC to pay once the exercise is over.
However, other voters speculated that the delay in voting was part of the conspiracy to rig the election, particularly the governorship.
Of the nine voters interviewed, two were polling agents of the All Progressive Congress (APC); one gave his name, the other did not.
One was a polling agent of the of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Those interviewed are Chibuzor Oguamanam, Joy Nwaiwu, Adewale Pitan, John Anyaogu, Ladipo Damola, Andrew Oki, Joshua Maza, and Paul Omojola.
Their concerns ranged from complaint about the delay in voting, rigging, intimidation of non-indigenes, need for good governance, to state support for self-employment.
Anonymous APC polling agent
“Unconfirmed report said INEC ad hoc staff are protesting non-payment of allowance due two weeks ago.
“We have got information that they are on their way. Voting period can be extended.”
Chibuzor Oguamanam (PDP polling agent)
“I am not too sure of the reason for the delay in voting and cannot say. But we have heard that voting is going on in other parts of Lagos.
“Unconfirmed report said that INEC ad hoc staff are protesting non-payment of their allowance. We have no information as to when voting will start.”
Joy Nwaiwu
“It was not like this the last time. INEC staff and voting materials arrived here at 8.11am for the presidential election on February 23.
“INEC staff are yet to arrive today, but we hear that Ikorodu and other places are voting.
“I am concerned about low turnout; it may be part of the rigging plot. Low turnout may be attributed to the attacks on non-indigenes.”
Adewale Pitan (APC polling agent)
“INEC officials are not on the ground because of problem of logistics. Election will take place today but we cannot say when.
“Voters are hanging around. When INEC officials come, people will turn up to exercise their voting right.”
John Anyaogu
“I have just arrived at this polling unit; I don’t know why voting has not started. I am discouraged because we are supposed to have started.
“It’s a waste of time. But I will wait till INEC officials come, so as to vote.”
Ladipo Damola
“Delay shows there is no proper planning or measure in place. This could have been envisaged to mitigate it, based on the experience gained from the presidential election.
“This delay will have a negative effect on the free and fair election we are expecting.
“People are just coming out of the mistrust of the INEC over the presidential election, and it is too early to have this kind of disappointment.
“Youth corpers are not sure they will be paid. Some have been paid, but not in full. A corper in Ibadan said he was paid N13,000 for the presidential election, instead of N20,000. Others have not been paid at all.
“I will wait to vote. But despite some delay in the presidential election, voting time was not extended.”
Andrew Oki
“I know that they rigged the presidential election. I am worried that the PDP did not win.
“I am not too bothered about the Lagos governorship. APC will win Lagos because of the influence of [former Governor] Bola Tinubu.
“I will still vote for Jimi Agbaje of the PDP. The PDP is the party I like.”
Joshua Maza
“I will not vote because I know that my vote will not count.”
Paul Omojola
“I am going up to vote for the APC. I don’t believe that Tinubu will control Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“Sanwo-Olu can rule well and complete the projects started by [outgoing Governor] Akinwunmi Ambode, in fixing bad roads, upgrading education, and equipping hospitals.
“Lagos State government should help those who want to be self-employed. I need money to establish myself as a photographer. I started the training last year and will finish this month, on March 30.
“I want to be self-employed and I need a loan or grant from the government to establish my photography studio.”
