Politics

A septuagenarian and retired civil servant, Mrs Anike Ojelabi, on Saturday  called on the youth to ensure that their votes would count in the Governorship and House of Assembly Elections to build a new Nigeria.

Ojelabi made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Alimosho area of Lagos State where she cast her vote.

The retiree said that she was not satisfied with the turnout of voters in the area, noting that Alimosho had always recorded large turnout of voters.

Ojelabi said that youths of voting age and other eligible voters needed to come out en masse during elections in spite of challenges.

She said that voting remained a civic right that should be exercised.

“This is the right time to get it right and play our part by voting.

“I am out to vote today to secure the future for my children.

“I came out since 8.00 a.m., but to my amazement, only 10 people were in the queue despite the fact that INEC officials came out early today.

“Last week, over 700 people were here, at this particular polling unit, to cast their votes,” Ojelabi told NAN.

Another voter and businesswoman, Mrs Kelechi Anthony, told NAN that the elections would be new dawn for Lagos State and the entire Nigeria.

“I am here and have voted without any stress.

“I urge  people to come out and vote and never be intimidated,” she said.

NAN reports that there was low turnout of voters at some polling units in Alimosho covered by a NAN correspondent.

The polling units include 049, 050, 051, 052 in Shasha, Orisumbare and Akowonjo in Ward 01.

Electoral personnel and materials  arrived at 7.58 a.m. while accreditation started at 8.15 a.m.

There was scanty presence of security personnel in the polling units. 

Some youths were seen playing football on empty roads during the time of the elections.(NAN)

KN

Tags: Anike Ojelabi assembly elections