LAGOS State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called for increased advocacy for citizens’ participation in local government election, saying it is the only time the people can freely exercise their franchise.
Speaking with newsmen after casting his vote alongside his wife, Ibijoke, the governor, who acknowledged the low voter turnout at the election, said government would continue to sensitise the citizenry on the importance of council election. The governor said yesterday’s election offered Lagosians the opportunity to exercise their franchise by voting their preferred candidates.
“This is the only time we can express ourselves freely. It is a question of the encouragement and advocacy that we need to continue to give to our citizens. “All the logistics have been provided. It is just for our people to come out and exercise their franchise. We will continue to improve on the advocacy,” the governor said.
A national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, two immediate past governors of Lagos State, Mr Akinwumi Ambode and Mr Babatunde Fashola, who is also the Minister of Works and Housing, did not show up to vote as the election was held across the 20 councils and 37 local council development areas in the state.
The election, which began late in many areas due to the late arrival of polling materials, was marred by large scale voter apathy, even as violence erupted in a part of the state. The Senator representing Lagos Central District, Oluremi Tinubu, also joined the advocacy for improved participation of the citizens in council elections.
She spoke after casting her vote, stressing the importance of enlightening citizens on their civic duties.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said local government councils under his watch will be made autonomous for them to perform their constitutional responsibilities as the closest government to the grassroots.
He gave the assurance shortly after casting his vote at Ward 3, Unit 002, Ita Osanyin in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area of the state, on Saturday. Abiodun, who commended the peaceful conduct of the election, said his government would continue to give the council areas free hand to operate.
He said his administration viewed the election as a referendum of acceptability, performance as well as a means to enable the people see how responsible his government has been in meeting the people’s needs. He promised to continue to fulfill the promises he made to the people of the state.
“What currently obtains in the state is that the local governments are independent because we give them free hand to operate. We will respect the autonomy of the local government.
“They are the third tier of government, much closer to the people. Our administration will give all the necessary support to them to ensure that they carry out their constitutional responsibilities in line with the resolutions of the Southern Governors Forum.”
The governor denied knowledge of boycott by some political parties, saying the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), did the needful by recognising the legitimate faction of a factionalised party.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) withdrew participation in the election on the grounds of alleged bias of OGSIEC which it said handed over the nomination forms meant for the PDP to an individual unknown to the party’s leadership.
“What I was made to understand was that the party that was not recognised headed to the court and the case wasn’t brought until Thursday and from what I understand, the court dismissed the suit that was challenging the OGSIEC accepting the other faction.
“And following that, I think perhaps to save face, the faction that lost out now decided to perhaps support a boycott. You cannot be boycotting an election that you are not a participant in it.
“I really don’t understand that, but really, I am not a lawyer. I am not OGSIEC. I am not speaking on behalf of any party. I can only speak on behalf of my party and my administration,” Abiodun stressed.
The council election, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported, was largely characterised by low voter turnout as well as logistic hitches.
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