Victor EzejaResidents of Lekki in Lagos on Sunday embarked on protest over their inability to vote on Saturday’s presidential and national assembly election held across the nation, which was disrupted in the area by hoodlums.
Hoodlums invaded some polling units in the area and destroyed election materials, snatched ballot boxes, and dispersed voters.
In some polling units, in the area, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reportedly, did not show up to conduct the exercise leaving the people waiting all day.
The residents hours after scampering for safety as a result of the attack by hoodlums on Saturday, came out in large numbers to protest, insisting that they must vote.
In a viral video, they were heard chanting, “we must vote,” adding that no one will disenfranchise them.
Following the challenges that marred the poll on Saturday which made many unable to vote, INEC announced the extension period of voting to Sunday, 26th February in some parts of the country that were affected.
According to INEC the places where voting was to take place in Lagos on Sunday included Surulere, Ikate, Okota, Eti-Osa, Kosofe and Oshodi.
READ ALSO: Lagos Thugs Attack Mafoloku-Oshodi Polling Unit, Burn Election Materials [Video]
The residents of Lekki continued their protest on Sunday when INEC officials instead of attending to them, went ahead with collating results.
Speaking in an interview with Arise News, Bankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W, who is vying for House of Representatives, Eti-Osa federal constituency of Lagos State, decried the way the voters were being treated, noting that the people have decided not to leave until they are attended to.
Banky, who is contesting under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the INEC officials have refused to attend to them, insisting that they were waiting for a directive from the Commission’s headquarters.
The popular singer cum politician said all they are asking for is a measure of accountability and transparency in the electoral process.
He said: “You cannot keep trampling on people and not expect them to push back. So, really all we’re asking is for a level of accountability and transparency in our electoral process. I don’t think it’s too much to ask. So the people are here. I’ve been speaking with INEC officials who are inside the collation center now. They assured me that they are waiting for the directive so until they get the directive, we’ll be here,” he stated.
He said they would continue to wait for INEC to attend to them as the people remain resolute to cast their votes.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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