In the ongoing rerun election for Surulere Federal Constituency 1 of Lagos State, Mr. Faud Kayode Laguda, the candidate representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), exercised his voting right at polling unit 009, Shitta Ogunlana Ward, situated inside Randle Avenue Primary School.
With twelve candidates vying for 121,111 votes from registered voters holding Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), the seat became vacant following the resignation of the former occupant, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu as Chief of Staff.
Despite concerted efforts by communities, including employing town criers to mobilise voters, the turnout remained notably low across various polling units, including Laguda’s.
According to reports, Laguda was the sole voter visible at his polling unit, a scene echoed across several other polling stations in the constituency.
Town criers, such as Mr. Ahmed Dauda and Mrs. Nofisat Yusuf, took to the streets, urging residents to exercise their voting rights and participate in shaping their leadership landscape.
Security measures were heightened with the deployment of security operatives from the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, and Nigeria Army, erecting roadblocks and patrolling the constituency to maintain order and security during the electoral process.