At the last Saturday, March 18, 2023 Gubernatorial and House of Assembly Elections, your favourite medium, Alaro Tide, joined other national and community media in Epe Division to cover the exercise, during which the stakeholders’ views about the polls were gathered.
Here are some of the views, general assessment of the elections; predictions and hopes revealed by them:
THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE, DR. KADRI OBAFEMI HAMZAT:
This is better to the last Presidential and National Assembly Elections, because the INEC officials arrived on time unlike the last one,and the BVAS is working fine just as it worked during the previous polls. The turnout too is still good and I know more people are still coming out to vote; and winning is my expectation. We are determined and committed to the development of Lagos State and I believe most Lagosians are with us on this project.
ALADESHOYIN AND PARAMOUNT RULER,ODO – NOFORIJA KINGDOM, EPE DIVISION, LAGOS STATE,HRM OBA BABATUNDE OGUNLAJA:
The elections are very peaceful,because as my custom is, during every election,I go out to monitor the exercise in order to ensure my subjects conduct themselves orderly and peacefully. I have done that today again before returning back to the Palace, where there could have been violence,my intervention prevented it. There was a misperception at a particular area here, a tinted vehicle entered the area and some youths,felt they didn’t know the occupants and their mission; but mistook them for Ballot box or papers’ snatchers. They wanted to attack them,but I waded into the matter and there was no violence.
I want to sincerely thank my subjects for their peaceful conduct and I commend the INEC too for the improvements the commission has brought to our Electoral system.
We, as traditional rulers, we are to guide our people to always do the right thing, and I think, I have been able to do that and I know our people are voting for the candidate of their choice that will continue to deliver good governance and dividends of democracy to them.
My expectation from Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu, in his 2nd is that, he should consider more dividends of democracy for Epe Division, Epe Division must not lag behind in any developmental agenda. He should reciprocate our people’s love and tireless supports for his administration with more government presence.
LAWMAKER REPRESENTING EPE FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY, FEDERAL HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ABUJA:
I just returned from Ise,Ibogun Ward,where I cast my votes and I have visited some areas in Epe, and I could see that the elections were going on peacefully.
I want to commend INEC officials for arriving on time and starting the voting process on time too. They have done pretty well.
The turnout of our people is very impressive. Anybody that is familiar with the voting pattern will know that it’s the tradition,at the first round of the elections, the oppositions are full of energy and hopes,but by the time they are defeated,they beat retreat. Here,in Epe,the PDP is the major opposition, although, they are very weak,they are always confused and relaxed after losing the first round of the elections. The result of Presidential election and the closeness of state government and House of Assembly members to the the governed,have energized our people to come out enmasse today too; so,it is not surprising. The surprising performance of Labour party at the last Presidential election, has also posed a big challenge to my Constituents and they have decided to come out to make a statement that Lagos is not a No Man’s Land. There is a song which goes thus: Ilu Eko eee,Ilu Eko eee,Ilu Eko a morawa,awon atonrinwa o ,won Mora won (We,the true Lagosians we know ourselves, while the strangers too can identify themselves) . I believe the new political dispensation in this country will be better. I expect a turnaround, because we would have a thoroughly bred progressive in charge of the country,in person of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Considering his track record in Lagos State ,there is going to be a turnaround in all aspects of Nigeria.
APC APEX- LEADER, EPE DIVISION,ALHAJI SHAKIRUDEEN AKANNI SERIKI ( BAMU):
This election has been very peaceful and our people are conducting themselves very orderly. The INEC officials are professional in their approach and the BVAS is working fine. I believe at the end of the whole exercise our political party will be victorious,because our Governor,Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu and our House of Assembly members have served the people well and they are ready to achieve more for our people.
MEMBER, HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY,EPE CONSTITUENCY I,HON. ABIODUN MUSTAIN TOBUN:
We want to appreciate our people for coming out enmasse to vote. Today’s elections have to do directly with their own, that is, my humble self. Secondly, it is a vote that would determine the fate of Lagosians and residents. They are so concerned and passionate about choosing their preferred candidates. The Soldiers are more civil today,unlike last election. INEC is really doing well with the BVAS,today’s elections can be adjudged to have met international standards.
Concerning Youth agitation,I know unemployment is what is majorly responsible for their agitation. The State Government is trying, but the Federal is the problem; but by the next political dispensation, that is,Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, there will be more jobs, to complement the state government’s efforts; and that agitation will end by that time.
COMMISSIONER REPRESENTING EPE DIVISION AT LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE COMMISSION,LAGOS STATE, HON. AHMED AYINDE SERIKI:
Today’s election is very peaceful, I can see that people are trooping out enmasse to exercise their civic right,even,more than last Presidential and NASS elections. I can see their enthusiasm to elect the candidates of their choice. Good governance and developmental projects are what the people are yearning for,and I know,Mr. Governor,Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu, has already been delivering these across the state,and he will do more in his 2nd term. I believe the progressive will surely win, and Governor Sanwoolu will continue his developmental projects and programmes in the state.
I give INEC a pass mark for the conduct of this election, as far as Epe Federal Constituency is concerned; but in the Eastern part of the country, they did nothing, because there are cases of no use of BVAS, they just thumb printed Ballot Papers ; there was intimidation and disenfranchisement of people.
FORMER MEMBER, FEDERAL HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ABUJA, HON. LANRE ODUBOTE:
We are Progressives in Epe and I believe we are going to win at the end of this voting exercise. Our governor has performed greatly and other candidates of our party. With today’s voting,Lagosians want to tell those who want to take over this State at all cost,”No Way”. I believe that great development is coming to Epe Division in the next political dispensation, with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President of this country, Wale Raji as a Senior ranking member of Federal House of Representatives now; and Sanwoolu as our governor,Lagos State is going to witness unprecedented development and this Division will not be an exemption; that is why we are fully committed to our party project,which is to ensure victory for all the party’s candidates. By the grace of God,we are winning,no doubt about our victory.
DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR, LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION,
DR. OLAJIDE NOSIRUDEEN ONIBON:
The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu deserves a 2nd term in office,due to his unprecedented achievements in this first term of his administration. He has done a lot in the Education Sector. He upgraded three of our higher institutions, Lagos State polytechnic, Michael Otedola College of Primary Education and Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education into full blown universities in a very short time and they are working fine,with provisions of necessary apparatus and logistics. During ASUU strike,he ensured universities in the state did not join the strike,by taking care of all the needs of the universities’ staff.
He carried out developmental projects in schools,right from the Primary level to the tertiary . The way he managed Corona Virus ( COVID – 19) that shut down the whole world economy; End SARS saga,amongst others is superb. I want our people to re – elect him,so that he can continue his good works. I know Epe Division will never disappoint him and I believe every division in the state will reciprocate his unimaginable performance with massive votes,today.
INEC performance, as far as today’s elections are concerned,is commendable and the turnout of electorates is laudable too. I pray Almighty Allah will help us all and protect Lagos State for us.
COMMISSIONER,LAGOS STATE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION,REPRESENTING EPE DIVISION,LAWYER TUNDE SERIKI:
The conduct of the elections is okay. The gubernatorial election is a very fundamental one,because we have to re – elect the governor and his deputy; so that they can continue their T.H.E.S.E Agenda. And in whatever form,we don’t want somebody from another region, to come and take over Lagos State. We,Lagosians are the owners of this state and we must defend our heritage. No stranger should come and take over Lagos from us. I don’t like the idea or statement that, ” Lagos is no man’s land” It is annoying and irritating. Our people should go out and vote. I have no iota of doubt in my mind that APC will not only win,but will win with a landslide victory.
TUTOR GENERAL/ PERMANENT SECRETARY, EDUCATION DISTRICT IV, LAGOS STATE,MR. SEGUN OSINAIKE:
The voting exercise is very peaceful here and electorates are voting orderly. Also,INEC officials came in on time and commenced the voting on time as well. The BVAS is working perfectly well.
I know people are fully determined to re-elect our highly performing governor,Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu,that is why they are coming out enmasse to vote . I believe he will win and continue his good performance. Also,our representative in the State House of Assembly,Hon. Abiodun Tobun,he has continued to represent the good people of Epe Constituency I,very well and the constituents are all out to ensure his victory too. So,I can see APC winning at the end of this crucial exercise.
HON. WALLIYULAHI ISMAIL ABIODUN OLUSEGUN,FORMER HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY’s ASPIRANT, EPE CONSTITUENCY II:
Here, in Ward J1 Ibonwon,we always appreciate the government in power with our votes. We are united to re- elect Mr. Governor,Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu and I have determined and announced my support for our representative in the House of Assembly, Hon. Ogunkelu, because I believe he is the God’s chosen, that was why he got the party’s ticket for the 2nd term. Therefore, I do not see myself as a loser, because I did not get the ticket,rather I have seen it as opportunity for me and my supporters to keep doing more for our party.God is using Hon. Sketel for us and all my supporters are fully supporting him.
I give kudos to INEC, with the way they conducted this year’s elections, especially with the introduction of Bimodal Voter’s Accreditation System ( BVAS),which ensures one man, one vote.
FORMER COUNCILLOR,WARD A1,EPE LOCAL GOVERNMENT,HON. SHANU GANAB:
As you can see in Ward A1,here,people turned out more than the last elections,because they know that neither the State Governor,Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu,nor the member,House of Assembly, Hon. Abiodun Tobun,has denied them,the good dividends of democracy; and they are ready to use their votes in appreciation of good governance they have been enjoying under their government. I believe the duo shall be re – elected,so that they can serve more .
FORMER CHAIRMANSHIP ASPIRANT,EREDO LCDA,HON. ADENIYI OLUKOYA ( ACTOR):
We are fully on ground here in Ibonwon,to see that our part,the ruling party remains in power in Lagos State. Our Mr. Sellable Governor,Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu ,has done a lot for us in this state and we cannot afford to allow the oppositions to stop him from accomplishing his good developmental plans for Lagos. People recognised his unprecedented performance, hence,their coming out enmasse to exercise their right of choosing their representatives of government.
With the conduct of the elections, INEC deserves to be commended,while the electorates should be appreciated for conducting themselves peaceful ly throughout the exercise. As,you can see, no violence here,everything is just too peaceful.
