INEC declares APC candidate, Taiwo winner of Ajeromi Ifelodun Reps poll

…As security operatives foil attempts to scuttle poll

By Patrick Okohue

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday declared the All Progressives Congress (APC), candidate, for the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency supplementary election, Hon. Kolawole Taiwo, as winner.

INEC conducted the supplementary election in 71 polling units across eight wards of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency of Lagos State for the House of Representatives seat.

It will be recalled that the commission had earlier declared the Feb. 23 House of Representatives election in the constituency, inconclusive due to over-voting, non-compliance with the usage of smart card readers and violence.

Prof. Olusoji Ilori, the Returning Officer for the election, announced the result for the election at the INEC Collation Centre located at Local Authority Primary School, Baale St. Ajegunle at about 7:35 p.m.

Ilori, who is a lecturer at the University of Lagos, announced the total votes after the successful conclusion of the supplementary poll, saying Taiwo polled a total of 36,115 votes to defeat his closest rival from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mrs Rita Orji, who scored 32,557 votes.

Ilori added that Mr Matin Iwonlaye of Accord Party had 587 votes, Mr Jimoh Rasheed of PPN got 206 votes, Mr David Kola of AD polled 158 votes, Mr Michael Ogoeke of APP polled 149 votes while Ms Julie King of APDA polled 112 votes.

Also Mr Adebayo Adegbenro of ADC scored 107 votes, Mr Kennedy Nzemiro of PPC had 90 votes, Mr Morenikeji Oluwole of MPN had 39 votes, Mr Jacob Ogundiran of DPC scored 17 votes, while Ms Victoria Oladipupo of DA, polled 06 votes.

Ilori said, “I declare that Kolawole Taiwo Musbau of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared winner.

Meanwhile attempts by some unscrupulous elements to scuttle the rescheduled supplementary election was effectively rebuffed by the prompt action of security operatives, who seized four pump action guns stashed in an unnumbered vehicle packed around Alafia bus-stop in the area.

According to an eyewitness account, a group of clandestine individuals were seen in the vehicle but they bolted when they cited soldiers deployed to the area to ensure a peaceful election approaching the spot where they initially pulled over, believed to be begging time to hijack an ongoing electoral process.

It would be recalled that just Friday, it was a reign of terror in Arumoh and Olayinka street in Ajeromi, where hoodlums attacked and robbed residents of their belongings, one person was allegedly killed by the combined security on ground while nine others were arrested.

Many would have envisaged voter apathy but on the contrary, electorates in areas like Amukoko/Mosafejo RA 10 with 18 polling units and Tolu RA 05 with 27 polling units and Temidire 2 RA 11 with 12 polling units turned out massively to cast their votes, up till the 2pm time stated by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the stoppage of actual voting exercise.