FAKE NEWS ALERT: We didn’t bar people from voting on campus, says LASU

The Lagos State University (LASU) has dismissed claims it barred voters from entering its main campus to exercise their franchise during Saturday’s elections.

Rumours swirled that the institution denied access to voters who had their polling units inside its campus.

But in a statement by Emmanuel Fanu, its registrar, the varsity debunked the allegation.

Fanu said the institution only coordinated movement of people within its premises as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not communicate the exact location of the polling unit in the campus on time.

“The attention of the Lagos State University management has been drawn to viral reports on social media to the effect that several individuals who came to the university main campus, Ojo, to exercise their franchise in the 2023 general election of Saturday, 25th February 2023 were prevented from gaining entrance into the university campus where the polling unit is situated,” it reads.

PRESS RELEASE

SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT: LASU DID NOT DISENFRANCHISE ELIGIBLE VOTERS DURING SATURDAY 25TH FEBRUARY GENERAL ELECTIONS
The attention of the Lagos State University Management has been drawn to viral reports on social media to the effect that several individuals

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— Lagos State University (@LASUOfficial) February 25, 2023

“We wish to disclaim this report and state categorically that it is both inaccurate and malicious, and aimed at bringing the name of the university to disrepute by some members of the public.

“As of the morning of Saturday, 25th February 2023 when the election was to hold, the university authority was yet to be communicated by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission on the exact location of the polling unit in the vast university compound.

“Several voters who arrived early gained entrance into the university but because there was no information on the exact Polling Unit location, they were left loitering around the campus, which in itself was a security concern.

“Against this background, the security department was directed to shut the pedestrian gate until the INEC officials arrive at the campus and decide on the location of the Polling Unit. This explanation was made to those at the gate at the time.

“The INEC officials did not arrive until around 10 a.m., after which they decided on the location of the Polling Unit. It was apparently during this period that several videos were taken and made to go viral.

“As soon as the location was decided, the gate was open and all eligible voters were allowed into the campus and to the polling unit without any restriction; viii. polling has since been held peacefully at the campus and results have been counted and announced.”

In a follow-up post, the varsity shared videos of people casting their votes inside the campus.

This is election going on peacefully at LASU. No one is being disenfranchised. Please ignore fake news. pic.twitter.com/Molsy8RmYL

— Lagos State University (@LASUOfficial) February 25, 2023