There was a low voter turnout on Saturday in Lagos State in the areas where the Lagos-East Senatorial District and Kosofe Constituency bye-elections took place.
SaharaReporters gathered several polling units were deserted.
This is the first election that would be taking place in Lagos since the #EndSARS protest.
The development has led to mixed reactions on Twitter as Nigerians debated the low turnout.
Most youths explained that their reason for not voting was because the Peoples Democratic Party as well as the All Progressives Congress – the two major parties – are birds of the same feather.
Both APC and PDP are same set of people changing colour of agbada, we have both their records of failure, and SORO SOKE generation will not partake in electing further failure. We want total haulage come 2023.
— Komolafe (@Komolaf11233521) December 5, 2020
Senator Jaywon @juuwoncares gave the excuse of location as his inability to vote. He asked, “How can I vote when I need to travel to my polling unit to cast my vote?”
How can I vote when I need to travel to my polling unit to cast my vote
— SENATOR JAYWON (@juuwoncares) December 5, 2020
Lionheart @lion__heart01 said the youth could not fully partake in the election because their political party has yet to be registered. He tweeted, “Because their party isn’t ready yet! APC, PDP are the same, and we have lost hope in them.”
Because their party isn’t ready yet!
APC,PDP are the same and we have lost hope in them. pic.twitter.com/g6GqIRUHlF
— lion ð¦ heart (@lion__heart01) December 5, 2020
Obaro @obaroddy replying @dejiadeyanju said, “You have forgotten that the current Nigerian electoral process is programmed to frustrate an internet thinking person.
They lockdown Lagos-East for elections, so peradventure I couldn’t get to Ikorodu yesterday I am automatically disenfranchised.”
You have forgotten that the current Nigerian electoral process is programmed to frustrate a internet thinking person.
They lockdown Lagos-East for elections, so paradventure I couldn’t get to Ikorodu yesterday I am automatically disenfranchised.— Obaroð (@obaroddy) December 5, 2020
Femmy @femzyrealone wrote, “Because we don’t have our representative on their ballot papers, so let them elect their self. Mchew.”
Because we don’t have our own representative on their ballot papers, so let them elect their self. Mchew
— femmyð¡+â¤ï¸+ð (@femzyrealone) December 5, 2020
Some, however, think that the youth have no excuse for not participating in the election.
Fad|Loomsuite @smartkaybee replying @komolaf11233521, said, “So the way for the soro soke to take over is by protest or burning right? Youth needs to be directly involved in politics. APC OR PDP is not the problem but the youth non involvement to take over what belongs to them.”
So the way for the soro soke to take over is by protest or burning right? Youth needs to be directly involved in politics. APC OR PDP is not the problem but the youth non involvement to take over what belongs to them.
— Fad | Loomsuite (@smartkaybee) December 5, 2020
Another in this school of thought, Rt. Hon. Olanrewaju Solomon, tweeted, “They can never be at their polling units but on the Internet casting their vote… it’s a pity for SORO SOKE GENERATION sha… The government will create an opportunity for them, they will not make use of it, but in the end, they will be complaining of bad government… No sense.”
They can never be at their polling units but on the Internet casting their vote…it’s a pity for SORO SOKE GENERATION sha… Government will create an opportunity for them, they will not make use of it but at the end they will be complaining of bad government… No sense.ððð
— Rt.Hon. Olanrewaju Solomon A. (@Solomonwhite023) December 5, 2020
Femi @clementbiola said, “Politics is not Twitter. You need structure to be a good politician.”
Politics is not Twitter. You need structure to be a good politician
— Femi (@clementbiola) December 5, 2020
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, who cast his ballot at Ward 4 Unit 002 at Oke-Balogun Central Mosque, Epe commended the peaceful conduct of voters at his unit.
The PDP candidate in Lagos-East, Babatunde Gbadamosi, complained about the low voter turnout, blaming it on the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission to educate voters properly.