Fashola, Orelope-Adefulire Score INEC High

Governor Babatunde Fashola and his running mate, Mrs. Victoria Orelope-Adefulire have scored the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC high for improving in the conduct of the governorship poll in Lagos State, South-west Nigeria.

Fashola, who voted at Ward G3, Itolo, Surulere with his wife Abimbola said the organization of the governorship poll was better than the presidential election, adding that it was also peaceful.

“I have a vote and I came out to vote. We are now on the third flight. The election has been peaceful so far but we cannot say it is peaceful entirely until after the poll has been concluded,” he stated.

Fashola said he expected the will of the people to prevail, while urging all those who have not voted to ensure that they come out to vote before the close of accreditation.

“I have voted. I would wait and see. We will be optimistic and expect all citizens to perform their civic responsibility to cast their votes,” he said.

When asked to assess the credibility of the process, Governor Fashola said the process of assessing electoral performance is not done until after the elections.

“I am not worried. As you go ahead, you will assess what has happened in the past and what progress has been made. You will see that on every effort, INEC has tried to improve on previous experiences and outings, but for me life is an on-going process for increasing renewal”, he added.

A total of 367 voters were accredited for the Governorship and House of Assembly elections at the Iponri Ward G3 located inside the State Junior Grammar School (Special) Surulere out of the 870 people who registered at the point.

Speaking after casting her vote, Orelope-Adefulire said, “we have a large turnout especially in my local government , the turnout today is far better than what we had last week, people came out en-masse to vote for the candidates of their choice.

“I am happy to be a beneficiary of this administration and today I have voted for my party and I am sure at the end of the elections, the ACN will come out tops and our votes is going to be overwhelming because the choice of candidates we have in Lagos and what they have been able to benefit from Lagos State.”

According to her, “I want to appreciate INEC for the good job they have done so far since the commencement of the electoral process and the first elections; this one being the last elections, they have done very well. They came out to the polling unit very early enough and the verification is very fast and you can see people here, they have been able to finish their accreditation before 12 noon.

“There is a large turnout, I don’t think we have had any serious issues and I think they deserve commendation and they have made Nigeria proud. We will get there , the process can be achieved by Nigeria if we abide by the rules. I think they have laid a good example that we can have free and fair elections if we are not desperate to get into power and allow for due process.”

—Kazeem Ugbodaga