Tension in Oshodi over military presence

There was palpable tension in parts of Oshodi on Saturday as military men occupied some strategic roads in the area following an attempt by a mob to attack policemen and INEC officials on election duty.

The soldiers and members of other security agencies in about three Hilux vans condoned off major roads around Church Street, Oyetayo and Oshodi Road in order to repel the agitated mob.

The soldiers, it was learnt, were drafted to the area following gunshots allegedly heard in the area by some electoral officials.

However, some residents, interviewed by our correspondents, expressed worry at the sight of the stern-looking soldiers near their voting units.

In a related development, at the PU 017, Ward D3, Oludegun Avenue, Mafoluku, Oshodi, there was a low turnout of voters as only 150 of the over 700 voters registered turned up for accreditation as of 12.30pm.

The Presiding Officer for the ward, Miss Adeyinka Abikoye, confirmed this to one of our correspondents.
But at St Paul’s Primary School, Makinde Oshodi, polling unit, the turnout of voters was impressive.

The Presiding officer, Ndubisi Odukwe, said the accreditation started at 8am without any report of malfunctioning of the card reader.

He explained that due to the large turnout of the voters, accreditation would be extended to 2.45pm.

Also, at Ward 04 PU 17, Seriki Abbas, Ajao Estate, the conduct was peaceful with a large turnout of voters. Its Presiding Officer, Tijana Moses, noted that of the 1,211 registered voters, only 200 persons had reported for accreditation as of 1pm.