As Lagos residents head out to vote in the local government elections, major roads leading into Nigeria’s commercial hub remain largely deserted.
The Nigeria Police announced a restriction on movement across the state from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
No signs of vehicles or pedestrians along key routes, including Otedola Road, Ojota, and Yaba.
In Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), light movement was seen on Ogunusi Road in Ogba and around Berger bus stop.
Security officers used a patrol vehicle to barricade a section of the road near the Berger pedestrian bridge.
Motorists cleared by security personnel were directed to reverse and use the expressway instead.
Only registered and accredited voters with Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are permitted to cast their votes today for chairmanship, vice-chairmanship, and councillorship positions in 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 LCDAs across Lagos.
The state has 13,325 polling units spread across 376 wards, serving an estimated population of 20 million.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), which currently governs Lagos, continues to dominate the political space. The state, home to numerous corporate headquarters, contributes significantly to federal revenue.
It remains to be seen whether today’s elections, overseen by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), will shift the political landscape at grassroots level.
LASIEC Chairperson, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, affirmed that no political party has been barred from contesting. Of the 19 registered political parties, 15 are fielding candidates for the elections.
Justice Okikiolu-Ighile also confirmed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) would not be used, though some electronic processes may supplement manual voting.
Elections are taking place in LGAs such as Agege, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Alimosho, Amuwo-Odofin, Apapa, Badagry, Epe, Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki, and others.
LCDAs include Orile Agege, Ifelodun, Ayobo-Ipaja, Egbe-Idimu, Oriade, Ikoyi-Obalende, Ojodu, Yaba, Itire-Ikate, and several more.
In Agege, attention centres on Abdulganiyu Obasa, son of the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, who is running for the vice-chairmanship position.