Lagos LG poll: Low voter turnout two hours after kick-off
Despite a public appeal by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urging residents to actively participate in today’s local government election, voter turnout remained low across several parts of the state as of 10:35 a.m.
Many polling units were still largely deserted, with only a handful of voters seen waiting for the arrival of electoral officers.
At Polling Unit 29, near the Federal Service Club on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, only one party agent was present as of 8:51 a.m., while officials of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) were yet to arrive.
In Obalende, several youths were spotted playing football on the roads around 9:15 a.m., prompting security personnel to intervene and dismantle makeshift barricades used as goalposts.
Some Lagosians casting their ballot on Saturday
Meanwhile, LASIEC officials and party agents were seen setting up at polling units on Odo Street and Igbo Street in the same area. However, no voters were present at the time, raising further concerns over low civic engagement.
At Governor Sanwo-Olu’s Ward E3, Adeniji Adele, a small crowd of supporters gathered in anticipation of his arrival to cast his vote, but the governor was yet to arrive as of 10:00 a.m.
A strong contingent of policemen was observed on standby at the venue, ensuring security ahead of the governor’s appearance.
The Lagos State Local Government election is being conducted to fill 57 chairmanship, 57 vice chairmanship, and 376 councillorship seats across 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs. Voting is scheduled to take place between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., with provisions for voters in line by closing time to cast their ballots.
Despite assurances by LASIEC of a well-organized and credible process, the early hours of the election have so far been marked by poor turnout and late arrival of election officials in some areas.
However, in some other areas, accreditation and voting commenced on schedule.
For instance, at Polling Unit 009, Holy Saviour Compound, Holy Saviour College Road, Isolo, Chief Musilimi Adio Hassan, who was among the early voters, said he was hopeful for a smooth exercise.
“I expect it to be peaceful so that we go home. I always make sure I vote because I’m a patriotic citizen. We expect good turnout later despite the late arrival of voters,” he said.
Hon. Abiodun Adegboyega of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the first democratically elected executive councillor of the ward, explained that the election officials arrived shortly before 10am, citing logistical challenges.
“As of now, things are going on peacefully, though we are expecting more people,” he noted.
“Now that we have voted, we will go out and inform others that the process has started. We the leaders have done our best to ensure the area remains peaceful. We’ve been out early and I’m assured there won’t be any problem. We also complement the work of the security personnel,” he added.
