Politics

Low turnout of voters mark LG election in Lagos

Published

3 years ago

July 24, 2021

Low turn out of voters on Saturday marked the Local Government election in Lagos.

NAN reports that there was low turnout of voters in many polling units visited in Badagry, Alimosho, Epe, Mushin and Odi-Olowo Local Government Councils.

At the Awhajigoh Ward C in Badagry, the electoral officers, who arrived at 8. 20 a.m, wearing face masks and gloves, came with two bottles of sanitisers, urging the voters to observe the COVID-19 guidelines.

Mr Monday Avoseh, a voter in Awhajigoh Ward, said the low turnout was due to the voter apathy in the Badagry Area.

According to Avoseh, voters should come out before 3 p.m to cast their votes.

At Ajara-topa Ward C, Mr Babatunde Hunpe, the lawmaker representing Badagry Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said that it was not too late for voters to cast their votes.

Also, at Polling Unit 038A, Baruwa Road, Ward 07, Ipaja North in Aliomosho Local Government 03, the election commenced at about 9.30 a.m.

The officials of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, arrived at the centre around 8.30 a.m, while election materials were delivered at about 9.05 a.m.

Mr Ahmed Baruwa, APC Party Agent, told NAN that the election commenced at the centre at 9.30 a.m.

Baruwa explained that voters had started casting their votes but the card readers were have been functioning well.

“The card reader has not been working since the election started, so the LASEIC officials have resorted to using the voters list to verify with the information on the voter card, so that voters can vote,” he said.

The APC party representative expressed worry about the poor turnout of voters for the election.

“The turnout is poor and less impressive but since the election has just started, we are hopeful that the situation will improve before the end of the election,” he said.

Mrs Arike Oni, PDP Party Agent at the ward, said although the election had started, she could not give an account of the process because she just came.

A voter, Mrs Folake Bewaji, lauded the process of the election so far, as it had been smooth and peaceful.

Bewaji said since the election had started, one should not conclude that the turnout is low until the end of the election.

“The election has just started, maybe people thought that there will be a crowd, so they are taking their time.

“Likewise, I also thought that there will be a crowd, so I stayed back until I saw people who left to vote, coming back almost immediately, so I decided to come and cast my vote.

“This situation is normal when it comes to elections, she said.

Meanwhile, the LASIEC officials at the polling units refused to speak with NAN but confirmed that they got to the centre at about 8.30 a.m.

Voters were seen in few numbers at the centre and other centres around, while the COVID-19 and social distancing protocols were enforced by the security personnel.

Private car owners and commercial bike riders were also plying the roads and traders , of mostly food items partially opened their stores.

Similarly at Epe, accreditation and voting began at 9.50 a.m., at Polling Unit 02, Ward D, Oke-Balogun Central Mosque, Epe.

NAN reports that at the time of commencement of voting, there was low turnout at the polling booths.

Also, all COVID-19 protocols put in place by LASIEC officials were strictly observed by the electorate before they were allowed to cast their votes.

In Epe, accreditation began at Polling Unit 003, Ward D at 8 a.m. at Dispensary Unit, Opposite High Court, Epe.

The Polling Officer told NAN that 689 voters registered but so far only 20 eligible voters had been accredited.

He added that the turnout of voters was low.

At Mushin and Odi-Olowo, few hours after the commencement of Local Government and Local Council Development Areas elections in Lagos, the exercise was characterised by the late arrival of voting materials and low turnout of voters.

NAN reports that voting materials had arrived late in some of the polling units while only a few voters were seen at some polling units as at 9.45 a.m.

At polling units in Atewolara, Babalosa and Atewolara in Mushin LG, the few voters available complained of the late arrival of voting materials.

Similarly in Odi-Olowo LCDA, many of the polling booths at Ilupeju, Kayode/Fadeyi were virtually a handful with voting materials arriving late.

Several voters who spoke with NAN complained that they were not aware of the election.

“We were only knowing about it this morning,’’ most of them said, as they continued to complain.

Some soccer lovers ceased the opportunity of the empty streets to turn the empty roads into football pitches.

However, there were security operatives such as the Mobile Police, Civil Defence Corps officials, on major roads, to prevent breakdown of law and order and carry out the restriction order of the state government.

In most of the polling units visited, LASIEC officials observed the COVID-19 protocols by insisting that voters wear their facemasks.

NAN

Headlines

Benue Govt. spends $2.82m to service loans in 1 year

Published

3 weeks ago

December 9, 2024

Saadatu Sahabo

Alia appoints head of agric company, others

Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue says his administration has spent $2.82 million (N4.53 billion) to service external loans between June 2023 and June 2024.

Alia made the disclosure in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Makurdi.

The governor said that Benue has not borrowed funds since the inception of his administration but paid the said sum to reduce the state’s debt burden.

He further stated that the Debt Management Office (DMO) recent report confirmed that the external debt profile of Benue has experienced a sharp decrease within the period under review.

“Recall that having inherited over 350 billion in debts from the previous administration, the administration has been cautious about taking loans, despite initiating numerous projects across the state, with many already completed.

“We are changing the narrative for good governance and massively delivering dividends of democracy to the people.

“We are consistent in insisting that the future of the state comes first and has demonstrated the highest level of decision-making and resource management,” he said.

He further stated that the current Budgets release of the third quarter of 2024, States Fiscal Transparency League Table, indicated that Benue has moved to 9th position from the 35th and 36th positions it had consistently shuffled since 2015.

Headlines

LG administration central to democracy in Nigeria -Nwoko

Published

3 weeks ago

December 9, 2024

Saadatu Sahabo

Sen. Ned Nwoko (PDP-Delta) says that Local Government Administration is central to democracy in Nigeria as it ensures grassroots governance and service delivery at the local level.

This is contained in a statement signed by Dr Michael Nwoko, the Chief of Staff to the lawmaker in Abuja on Monday.

Nwoko said this on the occasion of the presentation of an award “Icon of Hope” to him by the Association of Local Government Vice Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGOVC).

He was represented by his Chief of Staff.

He said that the importance of local government administration in the country could not be overemphasised, as it was the bedrock of democracy.

According to him, local governments in Nigeria play key roles in the country’s democracy by promoting participatory democracy, providing services, and representing citizens.

“Local Governments help determine local needs and how to meet them. They also act as a link between the centre, state, and local people.

“They are created to decentralise power and bring the government closer to the people. They perform both mandatory and concurrent functions.

“It is in view of this that I took it upon myself to enhance the viability of local governments through the Paris and London club loan refunds, “he said.

Dr Folashade Olabanji-Oba, ALGOVC National Chairman, while presenting the award at its 7th Annual National Conference, said the award was in recognition of the lawmaker’s significant contributions to strengthening local government administration.

She highlighted Nwoko’s critical role in ensuring the Paris and London Club loan refunds, a financial breakthrough she said enhanced the capacity of local governments nationwide.

Headlines

NGO lauds Wike’s leadership, security initiatives in FCT

Published

3 weeks ago

December 5, 2024

Saadatu Sahabo

Group Urges FCT Minister to Address Tenure Extension Concerns in Public Service

The Dr. Yusuf John-Suberu Foundation has commended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for his transformative initiatives that have significantly improved the security, infrastructure and overall quality of life in Abuja.

The Executive Director of the Foundation, Dr Yusuf Suberu, gave the commendation while hosting newsmen at a dinner on Wednesday in Abuja.

Suberu described Wike as a key strength and a significant contributor to the success of President Bola Tinubu’s government.

He said that Wike had received nationwide acclaim from Nigerians for his diligence and commitment to duty.

This, he said, led to the successful completion of multiple road projects in the FCT, among other achievements, within his first year as Minister.

According to Suberu, Wike has engineered a transformative turnaround in the FCT’s infrastructure, with widespread road construction and rehabilitation projects underway in virtually every district.

“The massive infrastructural development in the FCT includes several key projects, such as the construction of new parks, relocation of business premises to more suitable areas.

“Another one is the highly anticipated launch of the Abuja light train services, which is expected to revolutionise transportation in the city.

“Thanks to the unwavering determination of the Wike, the former Rivers governor and current FCT Minister, Abuja is transforming from a hotspot for criminal activities into a secure and safe haven.

“Wike’s leadership has been instrumental in driving this positive change, making the nation’s capital a safer place for residents and visitors alike, “he maintained.

He praised President Tinubu for putting competence above politics when he appointed Wike to lead the FCT ministry, recognising Wike’s ability to drive meaningful change.

“The decision has proven to be beneficial for Nigeria, and we are delighted with the outcome.

“Wike has successfully restored our confidence in the nation’s capital, and his outstanding efforts are truly praiseworthy.

“We take immense pride in Wike’s achievements and extend our heartfelt appreciation to the President for having faith in him and entrusting him with the Ministerial position,” he said.

Suberu pledged to align his organisation’s goals with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, aiming to drive Nigeria transformation forward.

“We stand firmly behind President Tinubu’s administration and his commitment to addressing Nigeria’s longstanding challenges, many of which have been carried over from previous governments.