INEC Boss: We Did Our Best In Lagos

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The Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Dr. Kunle Ogunmola, has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the National Assembly elections in Lagos, southwest Nigeria.

Ogunmola, who spoke with P.M.NEWS this morning, said: “Yes, we are satisfied with the conduct of the polls and we will continue to improve on it.”

He said the problem of some people not seeing their names on the voter register despite the fact that they had voters card would be resolved.

He said election was not held in places like Ikorodu, Ifako-Ikaiye and Somolu where the logos of some political parties did not appear on the ballot paper, adding that the election was postponed till 26 April.

On why the logo of the Labour Party, LP, did not appear in the senatorial election in Lagos Central, Ogunmola said he did not want to comment on the matter as the party had gone to court.

He said the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had already been served court notice by the party and that there was no problem, noting, “We will leave everything at that.”

“Honestly, since the case is in court, I cannot say anything about it now,” he said.

“We have improved a lot from the first election that was cancelled and we will make sure that we do more in the coming elections.

“Lagosians should come out en-masse in the coming elections to vote for the candidates of their choice. They should come out to elect the president of their choice,” he said.

Also, the conduct of the election, last Saturday, has been adjudged the best since this present democracy.

It has also been viewed as a replication of the 12 June, 1993 election which led to the acclaimed victory of the late Chief MKO Abiola.

Stating this is Benin yesterday afternoon, one of the many observers accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor the election, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), said the outcome of the exercise was the true reflection of the people’s wish.

According to its Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor, INEC, security agents and other stakeholders should be commended for their roles in the success of the election.

He further said: “The overall assessment of the election shows that there was significant improvement as compared to 1999, 2003 and 2007 elections.”

“Also in one of the units at Asoro Primary School, out of about 226 names in the register, less than 100 people found their names. Such category of voters were prevented from voting by polling officials , but were asked to write down their names for correction in case of future election. Cases where party agents openly canvassed for votes were reported.

Meanwhile, it was celebration galore yesterday for the Action Congress of Nigeria , ACN, in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, as winners of the National Assembly polls threw elaborate parties for their supporters.

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The house of former Governor of the state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at Bourdillon, Ikoyi, was a place to be as his wife, Oluremi, who emerged winner of the Lagos Central Senatorial District threw an elaborate party for guests including Governor Babatunde Fashola and other top members of the party.

Mrs. Tinubu expressed appreciation over her victory and promised to represent her district well in the Senate, saying that she felt great winning the polls with a landslide.

She urged all women not to be afraid of going into politics, saying that what a man could do, women could do better.

In Kosofe, it was celebration and jubilation galore following the pronouncement of Hon. Dayo Bush-Alebiosu as the winner of the Kosofe Federal Constituency elections into the House of Representatives.

Reacting to his victory, Bush-Alebiosu said the victory should be dedicated to God and the perseverance of the electorate, especially the teeming members of ACN who voted for the right party.

Bush-Alebiosu who commended the people of Ikosi-Isheri, Agboyi-Ketu and Kosofe areas for their passion, loyalty and sheer determination to reward excellent representation by voting en-masse for him and the party, added that the high number of votes recorded in the election was a manifestation of the hard work and selfless service he introduced into representation since he got the mandate to represent them at the lower chamber of the National Assembly in 2007.

In Eti-Osa, it was celebration galore as supporters of the ACN House of Representatives candidate for the area, Hon. Babajide Akinloye, was declared winner.

Akinloye dedicated the victory at the polls to the patriotism of the electorate in the quest to ensure the entrenchment of democratic ideals.

In Lagos Island Federal Constituency 11, it was celebration galore as former Head of Service, Mr. Yakub Balogun, won by a landslide, while cows were killed to celebrate the victory.

Balogun said he was very happy that he won the election, thanking God for the victory and the people for the support they gave him, while assuring his constituents that he would not disappoint them in the House of Representatives.

In Oshodi-Isolo 1 Federal Constituency where Hon. Moruf Akinderu won by landslide, it was celebration and jubilation by ACN supporters that their choice candidate had been re-elected.

Speaking, Akinderu said, “I feel on top of the world winning this election. And I am happy with myself and happy for the people who voted me in.

Also, the ACN House of Representatives candidate for Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency II, Mr Akeem Muniru, who won the election, said he was very grateful to God for winning and dedicated the victory to the electorate.

“The electorate’s voice will be heard and I will deliver. I will go to the House of Representatives to fulfill my party’s agenda for my constituency. We have started celebration already,” he said.

—Kazeem Ugbodaga, Yomi Obaditan & Eromosele Ebhomele

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