Election Update: Hoodlums Disrupt Electoral Processes Across Lagos
NEWS DIGEST – Several Lagos citizens have taken to social media in the past couple of hours to express their disgust with the behaviour of hoodlums at their polling units.
Participants say that hoodlums arrived in large numbers to disrupt the election process in their units, destroy property, cart away ballot papers, and, in extreme circumstances, inflict injury on voters.
This comes after MC Oluomo, a member of the Lagos All-Progressive Congress branch, warned that anyone who would not vote for the APC should stay home.
According to the participants, the hoodlums made certain that residents of eastern states were unable to vote in the polls. Many claimed they were particularly urged to return to their states to vote.
On Instagram Live, Actress Chioma Akpotha detailed the ordeal she went through when voting in her polling unit. She explained that the hoodlums who came to their unit “kicked at” her car and then chased her “like a rat in her own country.”
One of the hoodlums who attacked a polling unit at Ago Palace in Isolo was reportedly shot dead, according to clips on Twitter, although it remains unclear how.
Meanwhile, Labour Party candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has voiced his dissatisfaction with reports of voter suppression in numerous districts across the state but has urged party members to muster the courage to resist the suppression and vote.
“The will of the people will eventually prevail,” he said. “It is time for the people to enjoy.”
In a similar fashion, Gov. Sanwo-Olu asked all intending voters earlier today to come out and make their voices heard, promising that security officials were stationed at every polling unit to ensure their safety.
