Kunle Adelabu and Mariam Akinloye
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been receiving commendations from residents and some of the political parties that fielded candidates in the Saturday’s Governorship and Assembly elections.
They commended the electoral body for what they described as free and fair elections.Mr. Onibudo Sodiq Abiodun, the candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for the Ikorodu Constituency II seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly, speaking with our reporter after casting his vote, described the election as peaceful and well-conducted.
“I will say the election is very peaceful. I give kudos to the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission for coming to set up their polling unit very early today (Saturday). I really commend them”, said.
“One thing we have noticed is that the turnout for this election is a bit lower than that of the Presidential. We went to their (residents) houses to encourage them to come out and vote. It’s unfortunate and I don’t know why it’s like that”.
A former aspirant for the Ikorodu Constituency II Assembly seat, Mr Hameed Olalekan Aroyewun (HOA) who also voted at the PU 09, Yewa/Odofin Road junction in Igbogbo, also commended the electoral body.
Together with Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, Aroyewu with other APC worked to deliver their PU for APC.
“There are great improvements in the conduct of this election. The electoral umpire really stepped up its game. The officials arrived at the polling units in good time and the entire process was seamless. People came to do the necessary process, and returned to their places”.
“It was a free and fair process and also very peaceful. I commend our people and agents of various parties for the way and manner that they conducted themselves.
“From all indications, our party is winning the Gubernatorial and Assembly elections and we are going to continue the good work and the transformation of Lagos. I appreciate our people for trusting us with their votes”, he said.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Adeleke Bakare who voted in Ward C2 in Igbogbo, also spoke with THE IMPACT after voting.
“So far, so good. The INEC officials came early for the exercise and everything went smoothly. It is better organized than what we had two weeks ago”.
“The process is good and no cause for any alarm. It is a calm atmosphere which we all enjoyed”.
Seun Shotunbi, former President of IKorodu Heroes (I – Heroes), while also commending the exercise, expressed his reservation at the voters’ turnout.
“Apparently, it has been free from violence. As I have seen so far, I have a little concern about the turnout. The turnout is not as impressive as we expected”.
