24th January, 2011
Residents of Bucknor Estate in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Lagos State on Saturday appealed to INEC to create voters’ registration centres for the teeming population of the area.
The residents told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that there was no centre in the estate.
“It is ridiculous for INEC to ask all residents of Bucknor Estate to go to Jakande Estate for registration. INEC should do something urgently about this development,â€Â said Mr Chidi Obioha, a resident.
Also, Chief Ikechukwu Meregini, a community leader, said that there were close to 100,000 residents in the estate and urged INEC to allocate registration centres to the area.
“Now, INEC has lumped us with Jakande Estate which is also a densely populated area like Bucknor Estate.
Mrs. Kemi Olayiwola, another resident, said few residents who registered did so outside the estate and wondered how such residents would get to the polling centres since there will be restriction on movements on election days.
“What if in the future we are directed by our employers to bring our voter’s card before we could enjoy some facilities, what is going to be our defence.
“If our children are asked to produce such before they get some facilities in the public schools, what are we going to tell those children aside from depriving us the opportunity to elect leaders of our choice,†Olayiwola said.
Meanwhile a number of text messages have been circulating in Lagos urging people to participate in the voters’ registration.
The text messages read: Good morning Lagos, it’s day 8 of voters registration. Be patient, register today so you can vote in April. Stations are open Monday–Sunday between 9am to 5pm.
“Your hands should be clean and dry for finger prints.
