Afenifere says election results not reflection of the will of Lagos people, calls for cancellation

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, in Lagos State, has rejected the just-concluded governorship election in the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the winner of the election that was believed to have been marred by intimidation, voters suppression and violence.

Reacting in a statement on Sunday, Lagos State leader and Chairman of Afenifere, Supo Shonibare, and Otunba Tunde Onakoya, stated that the election cannot be said to be the will of the people of Lagos.

The group called for the immediate cancellation of the governorship and House of Assembly elections, held in the state.

Afenifere stated that the exercise was fraught with irregularities, adding that videos of intimidation of voters, either by direct threats or violence and the suppression of voters are rife and viral.

The statement reads: “Afenifere has been inundated with reports from its members, agents and observers who were present and/or on duty for the processes of the elections, held on Saturday, March 18.

“In 13,325 polling units in Lagos State, various acts were observed and widely reported that impinge on the integrity of the elections and render the results grossly unreliable; these results cannot be described as a reflection of the will of the people of Lagos. The only option open to the Independent National Election Commission is to reschedule elections at those polling units where the process was so blatantly subverted by an unholy alliance of subversives, including INEC staff, security agents and hoodlums.

“Videos of intimidation of voters, either by direct threats or violence and the suppression of voters are rife and viral. With the active connivance of some traditional rulers, arbitrary relocation of polling units far away from designated polling areas and the snatching of ballot boxes were also rampant. “These acts of thuggery were pervasive in at least 11 local government areas. After voting, election materials were snatched at many polling units, and many instances of this were captured on video.

“With all these botched processes, it is difficult to sustain the illusion of a free and fair election; there must be a rescheduled election.

“We, therefore, call on the Resident Commissioner of INEC in Lagos, to consult with INEC headquarters, to cancel the processes in all the affected polling units in Ibeju-Lekki, Eti- Osa, Surulere, Shomolu, Ikeja, Ifako-Ijaiye, Oshodi- Isolo, Ojo, Amuwo-Odofin, Agege and Alimosho and to enable them reschedule elections in these polling units at the earliest possible time.”