Polls: Okada riders defy movement restrictions in Lagos

When asked if he had voted, Mr Gbadebo said he could not vote because he had relocated to Ikotun from Agege.

News Agency of Nigeria • March 18, 2023

Okada riders and ballot box

Some motorcycle (Okada) riders on Saturday defied movement restrictions along Liasu Ikotun Road in Alimosho Local Government Area in Lagos State.

Okada riders were operating despite the movement restriction due to the governorship and state House of Assembly elections.

The development was very unusual compared to the presidential and the National Assembly elections, where the riders adhered to the movement restriction.

Salisu Aruna, a 21-year-old rider, told journalists he got his motorcycle through a hire purchase and needed to meet up with his weekly refunds.

“I came out to work so that I will be able to pay my weekly money for this motorcycle, the last presidential election affected my weekly money,” Mr Aruna said.

Also, Fatai Gbadebo, a 35-year-old rider, said he decided to work to raise money to buy drugs for his sick mother later in the day.

When asked if he had voted, Mr Gbadebo said he could not vote because he had relocated to Ikotun from Agege.

“I have no option but to work because I need money to get drugs for my mother in the evening, the naira scarcity affected my business, but I ride okada as my side hustle,” he said.

Meanwhile, in Polling Units (PUs) 063, 064, 065 and O66, all in Ward D at Ikotun/Liasu Alimosho Constituency 2, voting commenced around 9:00 a.m. compared with the last election, where voting started late.

Voters were in large numbers casting their votes in the various units.

However, at PU 010 and 011, Ward E, both in Akin Coker St., Ikotun/Idimu Alimosho Constituency 2, as of 10:15 a.m., both INEC officials and the security agents were not on ground, while few voters were waiting.

Voting eventually commenced at both PUs at 11:20 a.m.

Commercial tricyclists and bikes are also doing brisk business in Ikorodu, as they were seen moving freely at Obafemi Awolowo Road, Ota-Ona, Ireshe, Ita-Elewa, Igbogbo Road in Ikorodu.

They conveyed voters to their polling units, while traders were seen selling soft drinks, water and snacks at shops around the area.

There were more vehicular movements during the governorship election than in the presidential and National Assembly polls.

(NAN)

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