Politics

Low turnout of voters mark LG election in Lagos

Published

4 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

Politics

Aregbesola’s Group Quits APC, Charts New Path for Osun Leadership

Published

3 days ago

January 27, 2025

Matthew Eloyi

Members of the Omoluabi Progressives, a political group loyal to former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, have announced their decision to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement released on Monday in Osogbo and signed by the group’s Organising and Publicity Secretary, Oluwaseun Abosede, the resolution was said to have been reached during the group’s monthly meeting in Ilesa, with stakeholders from all 332 wards in attendance.

Abosede cited several reasons for the group’s exit from the APC, including allegations of ostracism, suspension, and expulsion of members without fair hearing. He also noted the perceived neglect and marginalization of the group within the party, as well as dissatisfaction with the handling of internal crises, which he claimed contributed to APC’s poor performance in the last election cycle in Osun State.

“Members of the group were put to a voice vote by the leadership, and they unanimously affirmed their readiness to switch allegiance to another political platform ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election,” Abosede said.

Speaking at the meeting, Aregbesola, the immediate past Minister of Interior, commended members for their dedication to integrity, character, and good governance. He described the group’s decision to leave the APC as the beginning of a new journey toward responsible leadership in Osun.

“I am indeed happy that all of you have spoken with one voice. A united front to lead the way to our collective victory in the journey ahead,” he said. “Our mission is to raise the level of prosperity of our dear state through responsible leadership. The path we have chosen is smooth, highly reassuring, and full of good tides that will propel Osun to greatness.”

Aregbesola urged members to remain steadfast, attract genuine allies, and prepare the Omoluabi Progressives for the challenges ahead. He assured them that ongoing efforts to reposition the group would soon yield positive results.

“We are open to all, regardless of political, religious, or socio-cultural affiliations. We have the numbers, strength, and political acumen to provide leadership that will make Osun the envy of its peers. By the grace of God, we shall succeed,” Aregbesola declared.

The Omoluabi Progressives’ departure signals a significant shift in Osun’s political landscape ahead of the next governorship election.

Politics

Youths Endorses Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu for Governor of Anambra State

Published

6 days ago

January 24, 2025

Matthew Eloyi

The South-South Youth Vanguard Forum, a prominent youth support group of the All-Progressives Congress (APC), has officially endorsed Prince Ukachukwu as its preferred gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming Anambra State Governorship Election. This endorsement underscores the group’s unwavering belief in Prince Ukachukwu’s exceptional leadership qualities, extensive experience, and proven track record in both public and private sectors.

Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, a distinguished leader, has demonstrated outstanding administrative capabilities, notably during his tenure as Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). His achievements in office set a benchmark for infrastructural development in the Federal Capital Territory, which continues to benefit residents to this day. In the private sector, Prince Ukachukwu has successfully managed a conglomerate of businesses, showcasing his strategic vision, innovative mindset, and commitment to excellence.

Speaking on behalf of the group, the National Coordinator, Comrade Philip Ikodor, called on youth and women across Anambra State to pledge their full support for Prince Ukachukwu. He urged party members at both national and sub-national levels to rally around his candidacy to ensure his emergence as the flagbearer of the APC.

“Prince Ukachukwu has what it takes to transform Anambra into a hub of economic prosperity and national development,” Comrade Ikodor said. “His leadership, when entrusted with the governorship, will tackle insecurity, foster sustainable development, and boost the state’s economy. Even as a private citizen, he has brought remarkable innovations and development to his people. Imagine what he could achieve when given the mandate to lead the state.”

The South-South Youth Vanguard Forum strongly believes that Prince Ukachukwu’s grassroots appeal, coupled with his developmental strides, makes him the ideal candidate to take Anambra to new heights of progress and prosperity. The group has pledged to mobilize massive support for his campaign, ensuring grassroot mobilization and high-level political alliances; galvanizing the brand “Ikukuoma” that will see every youth and woman in the state actively canvasses for his success in the forthcoming election.

The forum is calling on all APC stakeholders to seize this opportunity to present a candidate whose leadership qualities align with the aspirations of the people of Anambra State and the broader vision of the APC.

Headlines

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

Published

2 months 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.