By Damilola Kushimo
The councillorship candidate in Akibaye Ward of Isolo LCDA contesting g under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Adeoye Rilwan Agabiaka (Ara), said he is expecting victory at the end of the ongoing local council election.
Agbabiaka said though there was low turnout of electorate, he expressed confidence in winning the election when the votes are counted.
He blamed the low turnout on people’s apathy towards elections especially at the local level, saying it might be due to the fact that the electorate do not have regards for local elections as they have for general elections.
He urged voters across the ward and council area to ensure that their votes count by protecting them jealously.
Agbabiaka gave this appeal while speaking with journalists after casting his vote at polling unit 029, Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School, Isolo on Saturday.
The electoral officers had arrived at the polling unit at around past 8am and the election commenced around past 8 but with a low turnout of voters.
The process has been seamless and peaceful at the polling unit with the electorate being accredited electronically and manually.
Giving his take on the conduct of the electoral officers and electorate, Agbabiaka commended the electoral officers for living up to the expectation of conducting a free and fair election.
He, however, expressed his disappointment about the low turnout of electorate which he said could not be unconnected with the fact that the election is not a general election.
He appealed to those who had voted to ensure that their votes count by protecting and urged those who are still at home to come out en-mass to exercise their franchise.
His words: “The process is peaceful here and so far it has been relatively peaceful. There hasn’t been any report of violence so far. I will give kudos to LASIEC. I don’t have anything to complain about yet. I will wait for the sorting and counting of the votes to know if there is any complain or not.
He continued: “I’ve always observed that in LG election people don’t really put much interest and I can say that the turn out has been poor in the polling units because I’m getting reports from people across the ward but we are hoping for the best.”
Giving reason for the low turnout, he explained that: “Basically, they feel it’s not an INEC election and that’s a bit discouraging to them. I can’t say that they don’t have confidence in LASIEC but regardless of the situation, I’m expecting 100% victory for myself and my party across all wards in the council area because I’ve done my best, my due diligence. I will only encourage the electorate who are still at home to come out and vote, vote for the right person and make sure that their votes count because it goes beyond just voting, you have to make sure that your votes count.”
