Amosun Calls Ogun State Local Government Polls ‘Historic’

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state has described Saturday’s Local Government poll state as “historic.’’

Amosun made the observation while addressing newsmen after casting his vote at Polling Unit 1 in Ward 4 at Ajura in Owode Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

The governor hinged his statement on the grounds that since the state’s creation, Saturday’s poll was the first in which election was being conducted into LCDAs alongside Local Governments.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGESIEC) on Saturday conducted elections into the 20 Local Government Councils and the 37 newly created LCDAs in the state.

“I feel great today because we are not just voting but we are also making history”, the Governore said.

“In the history of our state which is about 40 years and half now, this is the first time we are having LCDA elections with local governments elections.”

“You will therefore agree with me that we are making history today,” he said.

Amosun also rated the poll in terms of importance above governorship election, saying, “it is the closest to the people.”

He expressed satisfaction over the peaceful conduct of the poll at his ward, adding that reports that he got from other parts of the state indicated the same situation.

The governor was full of praises for the security agents who were on ground to maintain law and order.

He also commended the state’s electoral commission, particularly for the simultaneous accreditation and voting system adopted, which according to him, enhanced the credibility of the poll.

‎The governor, however, argued that it would be difficult to assess the turn-out of people until the poll was over because of the system adopted.

“We cannot judge the turn-out of people based on the people at the polling units per time.”

“This is because many people according to reports left the polling centres immediately they finished voting”.

“So after the voting, we need to compare the number of registered voters with the number of people that actually voted,” he said.

Amosun gave an assurance that the exercise would improve development in all the council areas.
There was, however, low turn-out at the polling units in some parts of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state.