Some youths playing football on a major road during Lagos State Council election polls on Saturday
As the Lagos State Council election polls opened on Saturday, football-loving youths took to the roads, converting major highways into makeshift soccer pitches.
A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent observed no fewer than 14 pitches on Agege Motor Road, Alimosho Road in Iyana-Ipaja, and Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
“It’s election day, but for us, it’s all about football,” said one of the youths, who wished to remain anonymous.
“We’ll play, and then we’ll vote. It’s our way of having fun while doing our civic duty.”
The convoy of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) Chairman, Retired Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, was forced to stop at various points to allow the youths to remove their makeshift goal posts.
*“Low Voter Turnout”*
Despite the commission’s efforts to sensitize residents, voter turnout was low at some polling units.
At Oyewole High School, Orile-Agege LCDA, only 21 voters had cast their ballots by 11:30 a.m. out of 1,240 registered voters.
LASIEC Chairman, Retired Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, had earlier released balloon aircraft with inscriptions urging voter turnout into the air from its headquarters in Sabo, Yaba.
“We want to encourage all eligible voters to come out and exercise their right,” she said.
“It’s a crucial moment for our democracy, and every vote matters.”
