By Elizabeth ADENUGA
A Lagos lawmaker, Mr Olusola Sokunle, on Friday evening took voter education and enlightenment to the markets in Oshodi area of the state.
Sokunle, representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, said that the step became imperative to reduce the numbers of voided votes during elections.
TBI Africa said the News Agency of Agency (NAN) reports that the lawmaker went through Oshodi Main Market, Bolade and Boladale Markets.
Sokunle said: “Politicians must support the electoral body in educating the electorate on the right way to perform their civic duties.
“It is important to say that many voters do not know the proper way to cast their votes and this has led to high numbers of voided votes during elections.
“I deem it fit, as a candidate in the upcoming general elections, to educate the people of my constituency, especially the market men and women.
“Now, it is the index finger that we are educating our supporters to use on ballot paper so that we can reduce voided votes.’’
The lawmaker, who is seeking re-election to the House, on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urged people to vote en mass for all the party’s candidates.
Sokunle, also the Chairman, House Committee on Health Services, said that there was no more opposition party in Oshodi-Isolo.
He used the opportunity to inform the market men and women that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had extended the collection of PVCs till Monday.
Commenting, Mr Chinedu Edmond, the Secretary, Moyosore Shopping Complex in Oshodi, said that the market men and women would support the APC in the elections.
“We are assuring you that we are with you and will vote for you and all APC candidates in the coming general elections.
“In 2015, you came here to meet us and we supported you and you won and never disappointed us since then till now,’’ Edmond said.
In his remarks, Mr Bolaji Ariyo, the Executive Chairman, Oshodi-Isolo Local Government area, said that APC remained a party to beat in elections in Lagos.
Ariyo said: “In Lagos, we don’t have problem because the party has performed beyond expectations.
“You know that the party never take the market men and women for granted.
“You remain key stakeholders in the community. Don’t let anyone to intimidate you because everyone of us own Oshodi. I urge you all not to engage in electoral violence.’’
The chairman described Sokunle as an experienced, humble and accessible politician who understood the politics and governance of the constituency and Lagos at large.
He urged the electorate to come out massively on election days to vote for APC, urging them to mobilise their family members and friends to cast their votes for the party.
Also, Taoreed Adepegba, an APC chieftain in the area, said that elections in Oshodi would be without rancor and violence, urging voters to pick up their Permanent Voter Cards.
