Thugs chase away non-Yorubas who won’t vote Sanwo-Olu
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Thugs allegedly hired by the All Progressives Congress (APC) attacked and chased away non-Yoruba-speaking voters in Oshodi-Isolo, Lagos because they would not cast their ballots for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who is seeking re-election.
In the run up to voting today, hoodlums had been round locations in Nigeria’s most populous state home to all nationalities, from Ikorodu to Lekki across to Badagry, warning those who would not vote for Sanwo-Olu not to show up at polling units.
The attackers, wielding iron rods and sticks, invaded polling units across wards on Ajao Estate in Oshodi-Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) where voters waited for the arrival of electoral officials still being expected by 8.53am.
Pandemonium broke out as voters in their multitudes scampered to safety to escape the attack, according to reporting by Tribune.
The process started almost two hours behind the scheduled time of 8am in Egbe-Idimu LCDA but there was a massive turnout of voters.
At a polling unit in Abanishe Junction, Agodo, agents of political parties moved from house to house encouraging voters, particularly the youth, to come out and vote.
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Low voter turnout in some areas
Olatunji Esther, the Presiding Officer of polling unit (PU) 150, ward H in Ifako-Ijaiye, disclosed only 20 out of 115 registered voters had been accredited by 9.22am.
“We have not accredited many voters. The turnout is better compared to the last exercise. We are expecting the people to come out,” she told Tribune.
At PU 070, in ward H, Olaniyi Street, Ifako-Ijaiye LCDA, voters trickled in and Presiding Officer Ademisan Ayokunle confirmed only one out of 55 registered voters was accredited by 8.40am.
At PU 010, ward H, Puposhola Street, Ifako, accreditation began at 8.25am but voting was yet to start by 9.01am.
Olabisi Ogungbemi, a voter at PU 150, Ward H, said: “The exercise was very peaceful. We hope the turnout will be massive. The accreditation started early and voting commenced immediately.”