Presidential election: Lagos residents, business owners panic

Nigerians living in Lagos State are anxious as they anticipate the final outcome of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

The top contenders are Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC; Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Peter Obi, Labour Party.

Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, dominated Kano State, while most of the party’s candidates for Senate and House of Representatives performed well.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, commenced the national coalition Sunday evening in Abuja, after postponing the time initially scheduled.

Eyes are on the venue, International Conference Centre, where the presidential election winner will be announced after the totalling of results from the 176,846 polling units in 774 local government areas.

In Lagos, the contest was between Tinubu, a former governor, and Obi, a ex-Anambra governor; Atiku was the second runner-up in many wards.

Due to the disturbances in parts of the metropolis, including Ebute Metta, Surulere, Elegushi, Oniru, Itire, Oshodi, etc., residents are being cautious ahead of INEC declaration.

Videos revealed how thugs invaded units, destroyed election materials, and injured voters. Protesters in Sangotedo and others lamented they could not exercise their rights.

In Surulere, a woman went viral for returning to cast her vote after receiving stitches for a head injury. She was recorded waiting in line as blood dripped down her face.

There are allegations that Obi was winning at most of the units attacked, with questions on why there was little or no disruption at locations where Tinubu was in the lead.