LAGOS – Commercial motorcyclists operating in Ojota area of Lagos on Saturday suspended operations for some hours to support a member who vied for the position of APC Ward Chairman in the area.
A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who covered the APC ward election in Kosofe reports that many people in the area were affected by the motorcyclists’ suspension of work.
Some of the riders told NAN said that they were supporting their man, Mr Sunday Ajayi, who they knew, would improve the operation of their business.
The Chairman of motorcycle riders in Ojota, Mr Rasheed Bankole, said that they were supporting Ajayi because they knew he would protect their interest.
Mr Evans Chukwu, another rider, said that they took the decision to suspend operations to support Ajayi on Friday, to ensure his victory.
Some of the riders brought their motorcycles to the venue of the election.
The election at Ward F in Kosofe, Ojota, where Ajayi contested, was almost marred by violence but for the intervention of policemen from Ogudu Division.
Following an argument over accreditation, some party members decided to shun the voting exercise.
The elections, however, eventually took place and Ajayi won the chairmanship post with 350 votes, defeating his opponent, who had 18 votes.
Meanwhile, the ward congress in Badagry was characterised by protests in various areas.
At Ward E, made up of Ventho, Adamathem and Agelasho, there were protests as some of the candidates allegedly contested with fake nomination forms.
It took the intervention of the police and some military men to restore calm in the area.
The situation was not different at Ward B in Badagry-West Local Council Development Area.
At Ward G, in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos, some suspected hoodlums attacked three electoral officials.
The hoodlums, wielding sticks and horsewhips, dispersed the crowd of party supporters and carted away electoral materials.
The incident created a chaotic situation at New Era Street, the venue of the exercise, as residents ran indoors while passers-by moved in various directions for safety.
Normal activities returned to the street hours later but the very few party supporters who returned were only seen roaming the area. (NAN)
