Re-run elections witness mixed voter reaction in Kaduna, Bauch, Akwa Ibom

Today’s re-run election for Kaduna State House of Assembly in Sanga Local Government Area, witnessed voter apathy, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

On the other hand, the supplementary/re-run elections in two Local Government Areas of Bauchi state recorded large turnout of voters, reports the News Agency of Nigeria.

In Akwa Ibom state, voters started voting in the rerun elections in Essien Udim Local Government Area (LGA) as early as 9:00 am.

It would be recalled that the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KAD-SIECOM), had slated the State House of Assembly re-run election for Sanga and Kagarko local government areas’ state assembly election for Saturday.

A visit to Gwantu, headquarters of Sanga Local Government Area (LGA), has however, revealed poor turnout of voters.

Mr. Charles Danladi, Chairman of Sanga, told NAN that it was normal to have voter apathy as re-run elections were not usually as exciting and hot as general elections.

“Most of the people that did not show up are those who registered here, but however, live in other places.

“People are usually reluctant to travel from far places for re-run elections; but we are hopeful the turnout would eventually improve,” Danladi said.

Danladi, who expressed satisfaction over the level of preparedness, as well as the security arrangement, urged the people to sustain the peaceful atmosphere to ensure a credible outcome of the exercise.

Also, Mr Emmanuel Jakada, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chairman in the state, said he was optimistic of a peaceful re-run, and commended the voters for the orderly manner they were conducting themselves.

Jakada, however, denied claims of alleged deployment of thugs by APC to de-stabilise the process, saying; “these are mere insinuations that do not hold water’’.

“The party has done its necessary arrangements to ensure victory at the end of the exercise God-willing,” he said.

Malam Haruna Bisallah of Gwantu 003 Polling Unit, told NAN that the exercise commenced a few minutes past 8: 00 a.m., and that; “there is so far, no cause for alarm’’.

The re-run election in Sanga is expected to hold in 14 wards.

BAUCHI STATE

Whereas supplementary election is being conducted in Zaki Local Government Area, INEC is also conducting re-run election in Gamawa Local Government Area.

NAN Correspondent monitoring the exercise reports witnessing large turnout of voters in units the exercise is being conducted in Sakwa , Murmur North and Mainako in Zaki.

Mohammed Hassan, Presiding Officer (PO) in-charge of Daladagum unit in Dugunmi town, told NAN that voting commenced at 8.20 a.m.

Alhaji Awal Jatau of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Tata Umar of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and 19 other candidates are contesting in the supplementary polls to occupy the seat of Federal House of Representatives  for Zaki Constituency.

In a similar development, voting commenced early in most of the 287 voting units visited in Gamawa.

Madaki Gololo of the PDP and 20 other candidates are contesting for the Gamawa House of Representatives seat, while Mohammed Garba of the APC had earlier been excluded from the race by an election tribunal.

NAN recalls that the Court of Appeal, Jos Division, on November 14, 2019, had sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker, Rep. Umar Tata, representing Zaki Federal Constituency.

The same court had nullified the election of Garba Gololo of APC representing Gamawa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, and disqualified him for presenting forged certificates to contest in the election.

The court also, in a consensus judgment, ordered INEC to conduct re-run election in the area within 90 days, excluding APC or its candidate from participating.

AKWA IBOM STATE

A visit by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), revealed that polling started as early as 9 a.m.

At Ukana Ikot Ntuen Ward 2 Unit 9 with three voting points, voters were seen on queue casting their votes.

NAN observed that security was tight as they were more in numbers than the voters who turned out to cast their votes.

Speaking to one of the polling officers, who is a Corps member, Mr Tunde Adeyemi, he said that materials arrived early and voting began at the unit by 8.30 a.m.

He said that there was no challenge as the card readers were working optimally.

At Ward 9 unit 17 and 18, voters were seen casting their votes.

However, NAN observed also that there was no All Progressives Congress (APC) agents in some of the polling stations visited in Essien Udim LGA.

At ward 9 unit 30, the electoral officer. Mrs Anietie Udo, said the exercise was peaceful as voters were orderly.

She said that the only challenge encountered was the ink pad and it was improvised.

NAN reports that the APC State Chairman, Mr Ini Okopido, on Friday announced the withdrawal of the party from the elections.

Okopido alleged that the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Mike Igini, had been bias to the APC and as such the party would not participate in rerun.

NAN observed that no restriction of movement in some parts of Essien Udim Local Government Area as market people and vehicles were moving normally. (NAN)