Some voters at the Okerube Ward B Polling Unit (PU) 025 in Alimosho Local Government Area were sent back to get their nose masks before being accredited to vote in the ongoing election into Local Government Councils in Lagos.

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) had made it a mandatory condition for voters seeking to exercise their rights to vote.

A voter, Kabiru Omotosho, who was turned back, said he was not angry over the directive.

“The officers did right by ensuring that COVID-19 protocols are adhered to.

“I was asked to go back. I don’t know how and why I forgot to bring my nose mask. Maybe I was anxious and excited to vote.

“The officials did right by reminding us. The election is going as it should,” he said.

A businesswoman, Idiat Ajibike, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that she didn’t plan to buy a nose mask but was forced to, as there was no choice.

“If not that I just want to vote, I would have just gone back. I don’t like the fact that I must buy something against my wish.

“Walking back home is not an option because my place is far from here,” she said.

An electoral officer, who preferred anonymity, said that there was enough publicity about the need for voters to come with their face masks.

“This is a typical Nigerian attitude. They don’t pay attention. By now, we all should be using this nose mask all the time.

“Imagine if there were no security agents around, some of them will insist that we must allow them to vote without it,” she said.

Abdurasak Isah, who has a kiosk nearby, told NAN that business was booming with many people rushing to buy face masks.

“I will soon run out of stock. If I knew there will be high demand, I would have bought plenty, but I am glad I made sales. I have had these face masks for months now.

“I am enjoying the patronage,” he said.

According to NAN, the turnout has been slow, with many Lagos residents going about their normal activities unperturbed.

One of such residents, Olaseni Idowu, a food vendor, said that she cooked so that electoral officers will not get hungry while working.

“I know that sales will be good today. A lot of people won’t cook today, so I want to take advantage of today.

“Hunger is not friendly; some of us have to cook,” she said.