Mile 12 market

MILE 12 MARKET BUSTLES AS TRADERS, COMMUTERS DEFY LAGOS LG POLL LOCKDOWN

Despite the 6:00 a.m. movement restrictions imposed by the police ahead of Saturday’s local government elections in Lagos State, residents at Mile 12 and surrounding areas prioritised economic survival over adherence to the lockdown order.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observed heavy vehicular and human activity as early as 6:48 a.m., well before the scheduled 8:00 a.m. commencement of voting. Commercial buses, including a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicle, were already transporting passengers, while private cars and motorcycles dotted major roads across the state.

At the popular Mile 12 market, business was in full swing by 7:15 a.m. Traders and buyers crowded the market, eager to take advantage of the early hours before any possible crackdown on movement.

“I have to come so early because tomorrow is Sunday, and if I didn’t come now, traffic would disturb me after the restrictions are lifted,” said Mrs. Nimota Ajayi, a pepper seller at the market, highlighting how pressing economic realities outweigh political concerns for many Lagosians.

Commercial drivers and motorcycle operators were also out in full force. One commercial driver, who declined to be named, said, “I had no business with the election. I have a family of four to feed, so I must make brisk business before the 8:00 a.m. election exercise.”

Another driver, Segun, who planned to vote in Somolu, said he had to move quickly through areas not under strict enforcement. “I want to vote, but this area is not where I registered. I’m to vote in Somolu, so I have to rush down and help some passengers along the road.”

At Iyana-Ipaja, “motor boys” openly solicited passengers heading to other states, particularly Ibadan. One of them casually remarked, “It is only in Lagos that there is an election, not Ibadan,” underscoring how interstate business activities continued unabated.

NAN further reported steady movement from areas such as Ijegun, Ikotun, and Iyana-Ipaja up till 7:00 a.m., and from the Ikorodu axis to Mile 12 until 8:00 a.m., with no major disruption.

While police enforcement began around 6:30 a.m. on the Lagos-Ibadan Motorway, restricting interstate movements, within the city, the lockdown had limited impact as economic survival remained the priority for many.

The Lagos local government polls may have slowed traffic in parts of the state, but in places like Mile 12, commerce held its ground.

LATE ARRIVAL OF PARTY AGENTS DELAYS LG POLL IN AGBOYI-KETU

Agboyi

The local government elections in Lagos State experienced a slow start in parts of Agboyi-Ketu on Saturday due to the late arrival of party agents and a low voter turnout.

Officials of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) arrived early at polling units but were forced to wait as the absence of party representatives stalled the commencement of voting.

At Polling Unit 002, Ward C, located at 21 Agidi Road under the Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), only four registered voters were present by 9:00 a.m., with the All Progressives Congress (APC) agent being the only party representative on the ground.

“We’re patiently waiting for other party agents for us to start the voting exercise,” said the Presiding Officer, Mrs. Stella Emmanuel.

Similarly, at Polling Unit 008, Ward A on Ajiboye Street, no party agents had arrived by 9:00 a.m., prompting concerns from LASIEC officials.

“The absence of the party agents will negatively affect the exercise,” noted Mr. Adesina Akeem, the electoral commission official stationed at the unit.

However, at Polling Unit 028, Ward B, at 20 Oluwakemi Street, agents of the APC and Labour Party were present, though no voters had shown up to cast their ballots.

In contrast, some polling units recorded fuller representation from major parties. Party agents from the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were reportedly present at PUs 030 and 050 on Fadiya Street and PU 052 on Adisa Akintoye Street, all under Ward A.

Despite the presence of officials and security personnel, the election process in several parts of Agboyi-Ketu remained sluggish, as stakeholders waited for both party agents and voters to turn out.

LASIK

TIGHT SECURITY AT LASIEC HEADQUARTERS, LG POLLS BEGIN SMOOTHLY ACROSS LAGOS

Heavy security presence was observed at the headquarters of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) in Yaba on Saturday as local government elections got underway across the state.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent reported that police officers, operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) were strategically stationed at the LASIEC office, with operational vans and roadblocks enforcing strict access control.

Vehicular movement along the street leading to the LASIEC premises was restricted as security operatives ensured order and safety during the conduct of the elections.

Similar scenes played out across other parts of Lagos. In Badagry, security personnel from the police, NSCDC, and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were deployed to polling units and major junctions to maintain peace.

In the Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area of Alimosho, high compliance with the statewide movement restriction was noted. By 9:00 a.m., major roads such as Abesan Gate Road, Akowonjo Road, and the Ipaja-Ayobo axis were deserted, with shops, markets, and motor parks shut.

Only electoral officials, security agents, and accredited observers were seen moving around.

Commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators also stayed off the roads, in line with the 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. movement restriction announced by the police ahead of the election.

Security agencies, including officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and FRSC, were stationed at strategic points to enforce compliance and monitor proceedings.

Some residents expressed satisfaction with the level of order and security.

“I am happy people are obeying the movement restriction. It shows that we are becoming more conscious of the importance of orderly elections,” said Mrs. Bosede Akinwale, a voter in Alimosho.

LASIEC is overseeing elections in all 20 constitutionally recognised local government areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), covering 57 councils and 376 electoral wards across Lagos State.

Voting was reported to have commenced in several areas, though turnout remained low in some locations early in the day.