Lagos LG Poll: Youths, children convert deserted roads into football pitches

Many youths and children on Saturday converted major roads and inner streets in many parts of Lagos to soccer pitches.

Election observers, security agents, LASIEC officials, others were forced to stop at different points and intervals to allow the youths to remove their makeshift goal posts before proceeding with their different activities.

The Nation observed that football-loving youths in areas such as Dopemu Bus-Stop, Iyana-Ipaja Bus-Stop on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Agege Motor Road, Alimosho Road, Oshodi Bus-Stop, Bariga, Kosofe, Shomolu, others took advantage of the quiet atmosphere to play football on the empty roads and streets.

PUNCH also reports that between 9am and 2pm on Saturday, during the peak of the electioneering process, groups of youths were seen at different spots engrossed in football matches instead of heading to polling units.

When approached, many of them cited a lack of trust in the electoral outcome as the reason for staying away from the polls.

“You can’t force me to vote. I chose to play ball, and why will I vote?” said Ayomikun Ola, one of the youths.

Another young man, Opeyemi Omoemi, was blunt in his response: “We all know that it’s the APC that wins all, as usual. So there is no need for me to disturb myself.”

Wasiu, also found on the field, said, “Bro, there is no need. I am satisfied with the football than the vote.”

Bayo, who joined the game, explained that he was underage. “I haven’t clocked 18, that’s why I didn’t vote. The best is to play football,” he said.