Strict security in Lagos as 45 parties contest guber election, and 640 vie for LAHA

Heavy security presence and strict movement restriction would be a major feature  in parts of Lagos on Saturday as residents of the state troop out for the Governorship and the State Assembly elections.

Soldiers were deployed patrols and checkpoints as early as 6 a.m to effect the restriction order.

This was unlike the Feb. 23 Presidential and National Assembly election, which had only a few areas blocked by the army officers. Drivers of commercial vehicles then exploited the loose security.

Oonly officials of INEC and those on official duty were allowed to move about.

At polling units 1 to 13 in Gowon Estate in Alimosho Local Government Area, INEC officials were seen as early as 6.45a.m with their election materials.

While some INEC officials were busy moving materials and personnel out of their various Registration Area Centres (RAC) at about 7.00 a m, some were found at their various polling units.

In Lagos, the electorate will go to the polls to elect a governor and 40 members of the state House of Assembly on Saturday.

Supplementary elections will also take place in six federal constituencies in the state where the National Assembly elections held on Feb. 23 were inconclusive.

No fewer than 45 governorship candidates across various political parties will be vying for the number one seat in the state.

Also, 640 candidates of various parties are eyeing the 40 seats in the Lagos State House of Assembly in the election.