Lagos youths protest INEC’s absence at polling units 

Some youth in Lagos have expressed their dismay over not their denial to vote in the recently concluded presidential and National Assembly elections.

On Sunday, the youths expressed their grievances outside one of the collation centres at the Lagos State Model Nursery and Primary School, Marina, Lagos.

They claimed being disenfranchised because no Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official was present at their polling units (PU) on February 25 during the elections.

They had chanted solidarity songs and were pouring out their displeasure by shouting, “We must Vote!”.

However, security operatives, including the police and the army, were on ground to ensure the area’s safety, orderliness and peace.

One of them, who preferred to be addressed as Charles, claimed that elections did not hold at his polling unit, 064, Ward 6, United Estate in the Sangotedo area of the state.

“We did not see any INEC official till now that I am here.

“What we want now is that we want to vote; even though my candidate does not win, I know that I will justify my feeling in my fatherland,” he said.

Another disgruntled youth, Henry Mba, said the primary school where elections were to hold had 10 polling units, but only seven out of the ten cast their votes.

“Voters were present at those polling units till very late in the night, through to early hours of this morning, hoping to still cast their votes,” Mr Mba said.

Speaking to the media, Olubankole Wellington, known as Banky W, who was there to calm the youths, urged INEC to address stakeholders on the issues raised by the youths.

Banky W is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representative Candidate, Federal Constituency, Lagos State.

“Also, I think it is only fair; and at the end of the day, even if they are not ready to do it today, they should come out and address the people and let us know when they will vote.”

No INEC official was on ground to give comments.

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