Lagos: Party agents participating in the ongoing councillorship by-elections in Somolu Local Government Area and Odi-Olowo Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA) on Tuesday commended the peaceful and transparent conduct of the exercise despite low voter turnout. The agents, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria at various polling units, said voting commenced smoothly and electoral officials discharged their duties professionally.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the by-elections were conducted by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to fill vacant councillorship seats in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, Odi-Olowo Ojuwoye LCDA, and Somolu Local Government Area. The commission stated that the exercise became necessary to ensure continued democratic representation and effective grassroots governance following the demise of councillors representing the affected wards.
The affected wards include Ward C (Orimedu I) in Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Ward H (Kayode/Fadeyi) in Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, and Ward F (Bajulaiye) in Somolu LGA. At Polling Units 001 and 002 located at St. Paul’s UNA Primary School, Bajulaiye, Ward F, an agent of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Mr. Elliot Anuoluwapo, described the exercise as orderly and hitch-free.
Mr. Ademola Toheeb, an APC agent at the same polling unit, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election, noting that the election was going well, fair, and free. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) agent at Polling Unit 046, Mr. Godwin Okocha-Ezinwanne, also reported no complaints since voting commenced, reinforcing the peaceful nature of the process.
Various agents, including Mrs. Agnes Ogbu and Mr. Maxwell Onyeacholem, highlighted the steady arrival of voters and the well-coordinated nature of the exercise, though they acknowledged the low turnout. A voter, Mr. Bashiru Ayinla, emphasized the importance of participating in elections as a civic responsibility.
Mr. Ahmed Olayiwola, another ADC agent, attributed the low turnout to voter apathy and inadequate mobilisation, a sentiment echoed by other agents who cited economic hardship and limited public interest in by-elections as contributing factors. Despite these challenges, Miss Fiyinfoluwa Santos, an ADC agent, described the process as free, fair, and transparent.
APC agents Mr. Emmanuel Fakinlede and Mrs. Helen Taylor commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise but lamented the low turnout. Speaking with journalists, the Chairman of Somolu Local Government, Mr. Abdul-Lateef Ashimi, praised LASIEC for organising a credible by-election following the demise of the ward’s elected councillor.
NAN observed low voter turnout across most polling units, with electoral officials waiting for hours for voters to arrive. At Polling Unit 001, Bajulaiye Ward F, only 44 of the 559 registered voters had voted by 11:52 a.m., illustrating the minimal participation.