Ahead of the Saturday’s bye-election in Surulere 1 Federal Constituency of Lagos State, some residents have expressed mixed feelings.
Speaking with THE WHISTLER on Friday, a provision shop owner at Rabiatu Thompson Crescent area of Surulere, said she would not vote if nobody gave her money.
The lady, who did not give her name, lamented how the bad state of Nigeria’s economy has affected her business, adding that it would be a waste of time voting if she is not going to be rewarded financially.
“I’ll not vote if nobody gives me money,” she said. “Since morning, I’ve not sold anything, and you’re asking me if I’ll vote? Instead of wasting my time to vote, I’ll rather use that time to sleep.”
Also, Gbenga, another resident of the constituency, said that he will not be voting.
Asked why he does not want to vote at the poll, he said: “I just don’t want to vote”, without giving further reason.
Gbenga’s intention not to vote may not be unconnected with the disappointments expressed by some Nigerians following the outcome of the 2023 general elections.
However, Eniola Afolabi said she was ready for the election and would be casting her vote at her polling unit.
“I’m ready for the election,” she said. “The campaigns were peaceful, and there was no violence”
Afolabi urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the election is free, fair and credible.
“I just hope everything goes peacefully and there won’t be any corrupt practices,” she stated.
The bye-election is to replace the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Gbajabiamila, who represented Surulere 1 Federal Constituency in the lower house of the National Assembly for 20 years, tendered his resignation letter on the floor of the House on June 14, 2023 to resume work as the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on December 22, 2023, released a timetable for conducting bye-elections resulting from the resignation or demise of members of the National and State Houses of Assembly.
Although 12 political parties will be participating in the House of Representatives bye-election, the contest is between the All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
While Fuad Laguda is the candidate of APC, LP and PDP have Adeola Adebanjo and Jerry Afemikhe, respectively as their candidates.
Other candidates include Akinyemi Da-Sliva (Accord), Kayode Jelili (Action Alliance), Collins Aigbokhaode (African Democratic Congress); Jonathan Ololade (All Progressives Grand Alliance); and Samuel Ekwuruke (Allied People’s Movement).
Also in the race are Yinusa Adisa (Action People’s Party); Muyiwa Adedeji (Social Democratic Party); Oluwole Austine Brito (Young Progressive Party) and Emereole Anthony (Zenith Labour Party).
‘I’ll Rather Sleep Than Vote’ — Surulere Residents Express Mixed Feelings Ahead Of Saturday Bye-Election is first published on The Whistler Newspaper