Lagos Council Polls: Candidates, Parties Rally For Votes

Barely 48 hours to elections into the 20 Local Councils and 37 Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, candidates and supporters of the two leading political parties in the state, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have intensified their campaigns to woo voters.

The parties have already engaged in poster war and campaigning from house to house.

They have equally started road and street-to-street campaigns and reconciliatory process since last weekend, as the campaign exercise ends today.

In Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, a socio-political pressure group, Legacy, at the weekend mobilised over 1000 youths to participate in local Ayo game competition in support of the second term bid of the council’s chairman, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan.

Earlier, women groups, artisans, student organisations and members of non governmental organisations had stormed the secretariat of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, to thank the leadership of the party for endorsing the second term bid of Bamigbetan.

In Yaba LCDA, some youth organisations have showcased the achievements of their Chairman, Abdur-Raheem Olajide Jimoh, which they claimed earned him their support for a second term in office.

The floating clinic constructed on water at Iwaya, first of its kind in Lagos State, so much excited the youth that they have been thanking the ACN leadership for allowing Jimoh to return for a second term.

In Mosan-Okunola LCDA, the Chairman, Abdur-Rasheed Abiodun Mafe, is enjoying massive support of the people particularly because of the ultra-modern medical centre that is of general hospital standard.

In Orile-Agege LCDA, the Taofeek Abiodun Adaranijo Campaign Organisation, TACCO, has begun mobilising support for the council boss and advised its members to work for the victory of the ACN chairmanship and councillorship candidates.

The PDP chairmanship candidate for Ikeja Local Government, Hon. Olanrewaju in a chat with PM NEWS, said: “We are the people’s choice. They are the ones calling on for us for a change of governance at the grassroots.

“We have done our house-to-house campaign, met with various organisations and the response has been overwhelming. We are rounding off our campaigns today and looking forward to the election on Saturday,” he said.

According to the PDP chairmanship candidate for Somolu Local Government, Hon. Niyi Osibemekun, “we are fully prepared for the polls and we are rounding off our house- to-house rally this evening. PDP has not been given the chance to run the local government but this an opportunity for Lagosians to make a positive change.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman of LASIEC, Justice Abdul Fatai Afolabi Adeyinka (retd), has assured voters and the parties of a credible election. He said that at least 18,000 electoral officers and ad hoc staff would be deployed for the election and that he has asked the police to deploy about 20,000 officers to provide adequate security.

—Jamiu Yisa