The All Progressives Congress (APC) don carry all 57 chairmanship seats and 375 out of 376 councillorship positions for the just concluded local government elections wey happen across Lagos State on Saturday. But even with the landslide victory, the main headline na say many voters no show face — voter turnout for the election low well well.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu don hail the APC win as "victory for all Lagosians." For statement wey him release on Sunday, he congratulate party leaders, stakeholders and supporters, say the outcome show say Lagos people still trust APC leadership for grassroots level.
“This outcome na clear confirmation say Lagos people still get confidence for APC vision and leadership,” Sanwo-Olu talk.
“But this victory no be the final bus stop. Na time to work well for the people with humility and accountability.”
Low Turnout Na the Real Gist
Even though no major violence happen, reports from different polling units show say the voter turnout poor. For many places like Ikosi-Isheri PU 036, only 6 out of 234 registered voters show face by 11:20 a.m. For Alausa PU 003, only 20 people vote out of 1,229 registered voters.
For PU 027 and 085 for Alausa area, the numbers bad pass — only 5 and 0 votes respectively. Meanwhile, some youths for Ikeja and Surulere dey play football near polling stations even as voting still dey go on.
The low turnout don spark serious conversation about voter apathy, especially for local elections even as Lagos get over 7 million registered voters and more than 13,000 polling units spread across 376 wards.
No BVAS but 15 Parties Show Face
Chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile confirm say 15 political parties contest for the elections even though BVAS no dey used. She talk say dem fit go manual and say all parties get equal chance.
Elections happen for all the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs including areas like Ikeja, Mushin, Badagry, Ikorodu, Surulere, Eti-Osa, Alimosho, Lekki, Bariga and Yaba among others.
APC Still Hold Lagos Tight
Lagos still remain APC stronghold with former governor and now President Bola Ahmed Tinubu being the political godfather for the state. With this latest LG poll, the party continue to maintain tight grip over the local government structure of Nigeria’s economic capital.
But political observers dey ask one question — if people no dey vote, who dem really dey represent? The low turnout raise serious concern about people trust in the electoral process, especially for elections wey suppose directly impact their day-to-day life.
