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Temilade Alonge, a resident of Igbogbo Baiyeku LCDA, has shared her frustrations with the recent local government elections, stating that the process has not “evolved” to allow all citizens to participate fully.
Speaking at a town hall meeting organised by News Central TV, Alonge recounted personal experiences and observations that she believes highlight significant barriers to voting.
She revealed that she was unable to cast her vote due to a combination of logistical and personal factors.
Although her polling unit is in Ikorodu, she now resides in the Ifako-Ijaye area. On election day, a curfew declared by the Lagos State government prevented her from travelling to her voting location.
As a student, she also had to attend class, further restricting her ability to make the journey. She explained that these kinds of obstacles prevent some people from enjoying or “expressing their enfranchisement.”
She also recalled a friend’s experience, who, despite being at the correct polling unit, was reportedly prevented from voting for her preferred candidate.
Alonge described the incident as a case where her friend had “the candidates in mind, and then they didn’t want her to vote for that person at that space.”
When asked why she had not changed her polling unit to be closer to her current residence, Alonge explained her deep connection to her community in Ikorodu.
She felt she had a positive impact there, having been resident in the area most of her childhood and interacting with local leaders and the student body.
She believed her influence could encourage others to cast their votes.
Ultimately, she concluded that the conflict between her new location and her community ties meant that “location did not locate me” on election day.
