Lagos Polls: LASIEC Cautions Thugs Against Disruption

By Ogbolu George

Ayotunde Phillips, the chairperson, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC),  has said the commission will no longer standby and watch political thugs disrupt the electoral process in the state.

She made this known on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ forum organised by the commission at the City Hall, Lagos Island, Lagos.

”LASIEC cannot fold its arms and be seemingly helpless as hoodlums and political thugs make a mockery of its efforts at entrenching a sound democratic culture and sustainable electoral process at the local government level of the state.

”Effective collaboration between the commission and the various arms of the security agencies in the state is imperative in view of the ‘do-or-die’ mentality of the average Nigerian politician who believes he must win at all costs,” she said

Philips called on security personnel to be professional while managing security issues before, during and after elections.

”Security personnel must avoid the temptation of dabbling into issues that do not concern them and must refrain from fraternising with politicians and agents of political parties during the forthcoming election into the 20 local government councils and 37 local council development areas of Lagos State,” she said