By Oladapo Udom
Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, on Wednesday urged members and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to cast their votes peacefully and avoid violence.
Ogunlende said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during the APC House of Assembly primary in Suntan Beach Hall, Badagry Constituency 1.
According to him, everyone has the right to vote for whomever they choose, but it should be done calmly without rancor.
“When it is time to vote, stay on your lane and let me stay on my lane. Do what you have to do and let us move on.
“We don’t have to fight, because at the end of the day, we all are going to work together with whoever that emerges winner in the primaries.
“We are here for APC and we are one party, so, let us cast our votes respectfully and peacefully,” the commissioner said.
Ogunlende appreciated people in the constituency for turning out massively to participate in the elections.
“The massive turnout of people shows that they are interested in their type of leadership, that is why they have come out en masse to vote for candidates of their choice.
“The party has opened a fair playing ground for direct primaries to happen so that people can come and vote their choices.
“In spite of the fact that official results for the last elections are not yet out, people still believe in the system, and that is why they have come out again,” he said.
However, the commissioner expressed disappointment over the late arrival of materials and the delayed start of voting in the constituency, which he attributed to logistics issues.
“Some people have been here since 8.00 a.m. to exercise their right to vote but up till now, the materials have yet to arrive.
“While we understand that there are logistic issues, we will find a way to ensure that our people are not just waiting endlessly to cast their votes.
“I will take my observations back to the house so we can fine-tune the voting process and ensure it doesn’t take longer than necessary to start going forward,” Ogunlende said.
NAN reports that as at 2.15 p.m., no electoral materials had arrived Suntan Beach, though there was a heavy presence of security officers including the police, army and NSCDC.
The four contestants for the APC House of Assembly primaries in Badagry Constituency 1 are : Mr Joseph Gbenu, former chairman, Badagry-West Local Council Development Area; Mr Bonu Solomon, the current lawmaker, Mr Friday William and Ismaila Padonu. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)