It is the day after the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Nigeria and events of the day are still unfolding even as the results are being awaited.
It is perhaps a day of stock taking, a day to review how the electoral process went.
At Alimosho, Iyana Ipaja, Agege, Pen Cinema, Ogba and Mushin areas of Lagos, the process was largely smooth without any untoward incidents.
Accreditation of voters started early enough. As early as 8 am, the electoral officials had arrived their polling units. Though voter turn-out was low at the beginning, it improved as day progressed. In areas visited, accreditation and voting went on at the same time and everything went on smoothly.
Driving through the areas was smooth, though armed military personnel were observed at the several check points created along the roads. But, they were courteous to passers-by and few motorists that had to be on the road.
As is usual in Lagos whenever there is restriction of movements, several youths, many of whom were of voting age, but for reasons best known to them were not part of the process, turned many of the roads to football fields. As one observer put it, they divided themselves into junior, intermediate and senior teams and occupied different portions of major roads.
At Mushin, the turn-out was massive and the unpredictable Card Reader, which disenfranchised many in several places, behaved very well.
Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State commended the people of Lagos and the electoral officers for their conduct during the process.
After exercising his voting right in his home town, Epe, Lagos State, Ambode encouraged others to go out and do same.
Ambode, got to his polling unit with his wife around 9.48am, and voted at exactly 10.01am. He voted at Ward A5, Polling Unit 033, Ogunmodede College, Ajaganabe Area, Papa Epe.
Speaking to journalists after casting his ballot, the governor said, “I have just performed my civic right. I have voted successfully in my polling unit and from the information I already have across the state; I can observe that the election is going on peacefully across the state.
“I am delighted that Lagosians have been very cooperative. We have had peaceful night and ever since the morning also, everywhere has been very peaceful.”
Ambode also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the way it had so far handled the voting process, saying it had shown that it was up to the task.
“We want to commend INEC. They have been up to the task and almost everywhere, election materials are in place. The places where materials have not gotten to, obviously they are up to the task and those things are already being done and this election is going to be very peaceful and I pray it’s very successful,” Ambode said.
At Ikorodu, the process was also relatively peaceful and calm.
However, voting was delayed as the voters’ list for Alimosho Local Government Area, was brought to Igbogbo.
At the polling booth number 008, Igbogbo (11), the Presiding Officer, John Amoto Samuel, a youth corp member, assured voters there was no cause for alarm.
“We started a little after 8. a.m. The conduct has been peaceful, no violence of any sort. And I can say the voters are satisfied with the conduct.”
Also at the polling unit 006, Igbogbo (11), the Presiding Officer, Olaleye Dare, said the conduct was peaceful and that there was maximum cooperation from all voters and the agents on the ground.
But, the story was not the same at the polling unit 007, Igbogbo (11), where the Presiding Officer, Mr Aturase said there was delay because the voters’ list for the House of Representatives for Alimosho local government area was the one sent to the polling unit.
READ ALSO: Alausa, Agidingbi Record Massive Turn-out, Calm
He said it took some time before the certified voters’ list was brought for the election to commence.
Despite the initial logistic challenges, Aturase said: “The conduct is okay. It is smooth, peaceful, cordial and the turn-out is quite good. Other materials were brought on time, except the mix-up with the Alimosho list.”
Some of the voters expressed satisfaction, although they disclosed that “a political party was sharing money secretly at the venue, thereby influencing vulnerable voters.”
The story was however different at Okota where suspected political thugs burnt ballot boxes and papers and chased voters away.
At Opebi Grammar School in Ikeja, the Presidential candidate of Fresh Democratic Party, FRESH, and the General Overseer of Household of God Church, Lagos, Chris Okotie, called for paradigm shift in Nigeria.
Okotie, the made the call after casting his vote at a polling unit located in the school. He cast his vote at 11.27 a.m.
He noted that he had remained consistent in advocating the philosophy of paradigm shift, maintaining that allowing the status quo to remain would not help Nigeria.
By and large, Saturday’s election in Lagos was calm and saw a large turn-out of voters. However, many polling units witnessed delays in commencement of voting as INEC officials arrived very late with materials.
Notwithstanding, there is room for improvement and as the Governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections come up in two weeks time, it is hoped that some of the logistics hitches would be addressed by INEC.
