Low Turnout, High Drama: Kosofe Residents Refuse To Vote Without Payment In LG Election

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has voiced serious concerns over the rising voter apathy and a disturbing trend where residents demand financial incentives before participating in the local government elections held on Saturday in Lagos State.

At Ward C in Kosofe Local Government Area, APC agent Alli Olugbenga expressed disappointment, revealing that despite active mobilization efforts, many locals insisted on being paid before casting their votes.

“They’re asking me to pay them before they agree to vote. It’s wrong—it’s their civic responsibility, not something to be sold,” Olugbenga told The Punch.
“We’ve gone from house to house urging people to come out, but most say they won’t vote unless they’re ‘settled’.”

At Polling Unit 028, only two out of 106 registered voters had voted by mid-morning, despite continuous calls to known voters since 8:00 a.m.

“We’ve been calling people, and we’re still waiting,” one agent said, clearly disheartened.

At another polling center in Ward C, just six of 160 registered voters had shown up by 11:33 a.m. According to party agents, the process was calm and incident-free, but turnout was extremely low.

Meanwhile, at Polling Unit 015, also in Ward C, only about 20 out of 928 registered voters had participated by midday. An electoral official on-site acknowledged that although the voting process was orderly, public enthusiasm was severely lacking.

“People just aren’t coming out. It’s peaceful, but there’s no excitement,” the official noted.

A People’s Democratic Party (PDP) agent at a nearby polling unit echoed similar frustrations, calling the turnout “discouraging.”

“Everyone’s at home—no one is voting. I’m honestly frustrated,” she said.

The election, overseen by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), is taking place across the state’s Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas.

Despite the peaceful conduct and cooperation among party agents, the alarmingly low turnout—especially in areas like Ikosi-Isheri in Kosofe—remains a major concern for the democratic process.