Governorship, House Of Assembly Elections Hold Across Nigeria

Nigerians on Saturday voted in local elections three weeks after the ruling All progressive congress won a presidential poll that the two main opposition parties alleged was marred by fraud.

The west African nation is electing hundreds of state assembly lawmakers and about 28 governors.

Polling units opened from 8:30 am.

In Lagos state, the race for the governorship seat pits incumbent Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressive Congressive (APC) against Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, Labour Party (LP) and the main opposition's candidate Olajide Adediran of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Popularly Called Jardon.

Lagos Records Low Turnout Of Voters For Governorship Election

The governorship and State House of Assembly elections in Lagos State, witnessed a low turnout of voters, compared to the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections, which held three weeks ago.

Lagos State, which has the highest number of polling units for the 2023 general elections, witnessed the heavy presence of security operatives on major streets around the state. 

Officials of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were present at the 245 wards in the state, while some polling units witnessed late commencement of voting. 

Access24 Correspondent, Deji Ogunsola who visited some polling units in Ogba area of Lagos state reports that the electorate complained about the low turnout of voters.

He added that voters in Ogba, Ikeja area of the stated that the voting process was calm and peaceful. 

In Polling units in Surulere, Bonny Camp and Lekki parts of the state covered by Olalekan Yusuff, voting and counting of the ballot commenced early.

"From what I observed in all the polling units visited, Voters came out on time cast their votes and by right about 2 pm, sorting and counting of votes commenced.” Said Yusuff

Electorates Turnout Across Nigerian States

Reports from Nigerian States vary, while they were reports of low voter turn out in some areas the case was different in others.

In osun, one of the states in southwest Nigeria where Governorship is not taking place, Correspondent Adeniyi Folorunsho reports that there was low voter turnout as few electorates came out to vote lawmakers for the state house of assembly.

“There was low voter turnout in some polling units visited in Ede south, Ede North and some units in Egbedore local government areas of the state” said Adeniyi

He adds “Osun state governor Ademola Adeleke arrived his polling unit sagba Abogunde ward 2, unit 5 around 8;45am and cast his vote by 8:48am”.

A Former governor of the state Gboyega  Oyetola who casts his vote at 11:10 am, at ward 1 unit 10 Okelado Iragbiji Biripe local government area alongside his wife, said there were reports of pocket of violence in some areas in osogbo and ilesha east and west respectively.