Anambra State in South East Nigeria
Despite the police order restricting movement across Anambra State, many residents and commercial transport operators in Awka and Onitsha went about their usual activities on Saturday.
The restriction, which was meant to be in force from midnight to 6 p.m., covered all roads in the state, including inter-state routes. However, checks by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed that commercial vehicles were freely operating in several parts of Awka, the state capital, with commuters seen boarding buses without hindrance.
A similar situation was observed from Ogidi Local Government Area down to Nkpor Junction, where vehicular movement continued largely uninterrupted. Security operatives were stationed along major routes such as the Nkpor Road and other strategic points within the capital city.
In the meantime, the commencement of electoral activities experienced some delays as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) arrived late at several polling units in both Awka and Onitsha.
At Agwuoka Polling Unit 008, INEC personnel were seen arriving around 8:40 a.m., while their counterparts at Aroma Polling Unit 022 were still setting up their stations at about the same time.
Mrs. Mary Fajoye, an INEC monitoring officer at Awka South Local Government Area, confirmed that all election materials—both sensitive and non-sensitive—had been dispatched from the council’s INEC office the previous day. She noted that some polling officers initially had trouble locating their designated registration areas, but the issue was later resolved.
At Amawbia 02, Polling Unit 3 (Central School III, Awka South), officials had completed preparations by 8:19 a.m., awaiting the official start of voting at 8:30 a.m. Presiding Officer Mr. Mark Kalu addressed voters on the voting process and assured that priority would be given to persons with disabilities, albinos, and the elderly.
As of the time this report was filed, accreditation of voters was already underway at Eze Chima Primary School, Awka Road.
(NAN)
