Politics

APC wins Lagos councillorship by-elections

The All Progressives Congress won all three councillorship by-elections conducted by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission across three wards in the state.

The by-elections were held in Ward C, Orimedu I, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area; Ward F, Bajulaiye/Fola Agoro, Shomolu Local Government Area; and Ward H, Kayode/Fadeyi, Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area.

According to the election results released by LASIEC and made available to NewsWatch Online on Tuesday, the APC candidate, Rufai Kafayat Abosede, won the Orimedu I, Ward C councillorship seat in Ibeju-Lekki after polling 8,386 votes to defeat Samsideen Adeleke of the African Democratic Congress, who scored 27 votes.

In Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, Kayode/Fadeyi Ward H, APC candidate Shotayo Samiat Adebigi secured victory with 3,820 votes, defeating Ifeanyi Abidemi Onwenu of the ADC, who polled 260 votes, while the National Democratic Party candidate received 26 votes.

Similarly, in Bajulaiye/Fola Agoro Ward F in Shomolu Local Government, the APC’s Kehinde Halimat Jolaosho emerged winner after polling 2,546 votes. Her closest challenger, Ifeanyibech Anyamebech of the ADC, scored 157 votes, while the NDP candidate polled 23 votes.

A statement issued by the commission said the by-elections were conducted to fill vacancies created by the deaths of the elected councillors representing the affected wards.

The statement noted, “The elections were necessitated by vacancies due to the unfortunate demise of the elected Councillors representing the respective Wards that must be filled in line with democratic principles and the LASIEC laws.”

LASIEC Chairman, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (retd.), who monitored the exercise alongside other commissioners and the Permanent Secretary, AbdulRafiu Omowole Fashola, commended voters, political parties, security agencies and election officials for the peaceful conduct of the polls.

The commission said, “Electoral materials arrived promptly at polling units, accredited voters exercised their franchise peacefully, and the process was conducted in a secured, transparent, free, fair, and credible manner.”

LASIEC added that it remained committed to conducting credible elections and promoting democratic values at the grassroots, assuring residents that it would continue to improve electoral processes through innovation, transparency and stakeholder engagement.