Skip to main content

LAGOS REC BYE-ELECTION: VERY POOR TURNOUT

The National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday appealed Nigerians to always participate actively in electoral processes to avoid voter apathy.
Mr Sam Olumekun, INEC Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Lagos State, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He reacted to the low turnout of voters during the Eti-Osa Constituency I bye-election in the state.
The election held on Saturday to fill a vacant seat in the state House of Assembly, following the death of the lawmaker representing the area, Mr Kazeem Alimi.Alimi died on July 18.
Olumekun said that there was the need for attitudinal change and proper orientation toward electoral processes in the country.
”Obviously, the first element is that the election was peaceful with no record of violence.
”We observed all procedures that are expected of us in the conduct of the elections; so, the election was very fair.
”The turnout was not just low but very poor.
This is a repeat of what happened during the Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency bye-election, where we recorded less than three per cent turnout,’’ he said.
The REC said that he had yet to have figures to rate the turnout for the Eti-Osa bye election.
”I just think we need to get out of this mentality and change our orientation.
“We are doing election in one constituency in the whole of Lagos; I do not think we need to lock down Lagos because of that.
”The fact that there was restriction of movement should not have prevented the people from exercising their civic responsibility.
”This neighborhood is a high brow area; the people are very much aware of this election; so, we cannot say that publicity was responsible for the low turnout, ” he said.
Olumekun commended security agents for ensuring orderliness during the election.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

AKEREDOLU, KEKEMEKE AND OTHERS BID MRS FAGUNWA GOODBYE

Post a Comment
Read more

EMIR OF KASTINA TELLS PRESIDENT BUHARI TO SIGN PEACE CORPS BILL

The Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Usman, has declared support for the Peace Corps bill passed by the National Assembly. The bill, which seeks to turn the Peace Corps, a non-government organisation, into a government paramilitary agency, has elicited mixed reactions from Nigerians. Proponents see it as an avenue to create jobs for thousands of youth while critics describe as a duplication of functions already being performed by existing agencies and creation of another bureaucracy at a time the country is finding it difficult to pay workers' salaries. The bill was opposed by existing military and security institutions in Nigeria and the Peace Corps leader Dickson Akoh is currently being prosecuted for alleged fraud. Apart from lawmakers, the bill is also supported by some prominent Nigerians including the Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, who also asked Mr. Buhari to sign to it. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Katsina emir made a similar call on the president on Thursda
Post a Comment
Read more

NIGERIA'S BREAKUP IS NOT AN OPTION-DAVID MARK

N igerians must move on together as a breakup is not an option, former Senate President, David Mark, said on Friday. “Those who are agitating for otherwise are missing the point. Nigeria has crossed many crucibles. We cannot reverse ourselves,” Mr. Mark told Kaduna State Acting Governor,  Alhaji Aminu Shagali, in Kaduna. He was at the head of a delegation of the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) 3rd Regular Course Alumni Association on a courtesy visit to the acting governor. “The only option is to move on in a manner that is progressive, peaceful and united,” he was further quoted as saying by his media aide, Paul Mumeh.   “We may have our disagreements. But a breakup is not an option. We can resolve our differences through meaningful dialogue and genuine conversation." “There is no use heating up the polity,” the ex-Senate president added. He noted that no matter the imperfections, the nation is greater and better as an indivisible country.
Post a Comment
Read more