Razaq Bamidele
Election at Ward 2, polling Unit 051 at Odumekan-Oke Peace Community of Ota Ogun State started as scheduled as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (EFCC), the parties’ agents and security personnel arrived the polling unit as early as 8:00a.m.
The voting then started with a handful of voters who trickled in in twos and threes. The turnout was not as impressive as it was during the Presidential election of February 25 at the same polling unit.
Speaking with our correspondent, Pa Najimu Olusola Akanbi, former Chairman, Odumekan Oke Peace Community, Ward 2, Polling Unit 051, Ota, Ogun State volunteered that, the turnout, though not too bad, it is not as impressive as it was during the Presidential Poll of February 25.
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“I don’t know the reason for the loss of interest, that is however the situation of things today. We cannot rule out what would happen before the close of the day,” adding that, “expectedly, there is no threat to peace as things are orderly and security personnel posted here have no cause to stress themselves unnecessarily to maintain the peace.”
But the wife of the current chairman of the community, Mrs. Adejoke Folarin in her own comment commended the community residents for coming out to vote. According to her, out of 63 expected voters, 41 have come around to exercise their civic duties, hoping that before the close of the exercise, others could surface to cast their ballot.
Another resident, Princess Boladale Oyewemi blamed the unimpressive turnout on the contestants for the governorship and House of Assembly candidates, who did not make themselves available in the area for recognition, stating that, “some of them are not known in this area and people are not ready to waste their time lining up to vote for unknown people who claim to be our representatives.”
A cyclist operator, Babajide Adeoti, who was busy with his business said, “since there is no money to feed hmyfamily due to clashless policy of the government, the election to me and to my family can take the back seat because it is secondary on our agenda,” hoping however that, “maybe before the close of the exercise later today, I may have made enough money for my family’s daily bread and decided to vote later.”
Elizabeth Okechukwu, a patient medicine shop owner said, her concern was the presidential election where her choice was contesting, saying, “I cannot be bothered by the election of somebody I don’t know but who is claiming to be my House of Assembly representative.”
When asked what about the governorship candidates, she just smiled, shrugged and walked away.
