Reports of thuggery, irregularities trail by-elections across states
BY OKERAFOR ATHANATIUS
As results of the re-run elections conducted nationwide begin to trickle in, reports across many of the states indicate mixed reactions, as stories of thuggery, voter apathy and institutional suppression of voters ring loud across the landscape.
In Taraba, the House of Representatives by-election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) across the three Local Government Areas of Jalingo, Yorro and Zing Federal Constituency experienced a low turnout of Voters.
Our correspondent, who monitored the election in some Wards of Jalingo Local Government Area of the State explained that all the polling units visited, only INEC officials were seen while the electorates were absent but were going about their businesses.
“Despite the restrictions of movements by the Police, market men and women were busy making their sales”.
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Answering questions from journalists on the development shortly after casting his vote at Anguwan Primary Board Polling Unit of Jalingo, the Council Chairman, Hon. Aminu Jauro Hassan said the low turnout of voters was attributed to the high cost of living added to the challenges of transportation experienced by the people.
Aminu Jauro Hassan further expressed optimism that Taraba being a PDP State, the candidate of the party, Abbas Tafida would clinch the ticket at the end of the day.
Also speaking, the All Progressive Congress (APC) Candidate for the election, Hon. Aminu Ibrahim Malle who spoke shortly after casting his vote at Wazirin Malle Polling Unit of the Local Government, accused INEC of not doing enough in terms of publicity.
“INEC needs to do more, in fact, if you follow the trends of events that are happening, INEC is completely dormant in the issues of publicity.
“They are adamant, they have not done their homework to create awareness about the election”, he said.
On the issue of security of the people, Hon. Malle disclosed that he was satisfied with the security personnel adding that they need to add more effort.
The commission had earlier said it was monitoring and investigating reported cases of disruption in the ongoing re-run and by-elections in the three states.
In the same vein, some stakeholders have advanced reasons for low turnout of voters for the Plateau North Senate and Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency re-run elections.
The people of the senatorial district and federal constituency, cutting across six local government areas, went to the polls to vote for a senator and a member of the House of Representatives.
There was low turnout in some polling units visited. Mr Peter Dung, Transition Implementation Committee Chairman, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau, told newsmen shortly after he voted at Garangi 1 Unit (011) Chugwi, Vom, that the exclusion of the PDP was responsible for the poor turnout.
The chairman said that speculations that the election was postponed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were another reason.
He called on people who were not happy with the exclusion of PDP from the ballot to rethink and come out to vote for a candidate of their choice.
“INEC has used taxpayers money to organise this election and we must not allow it go to waste.
“Let’s come out and vote for those that will give us effective representation at the National Assembly.
“As you have seen massive turnout in my polling unit, we have put behind our disappointment.
“We will vote for a candidate that will promote and protect our interests,” he said.
Mr Davou Gyang, the state Commissioner for Transport, said the people’s spirit was dampened by exclusion of the PDP.
Gyang said, however, that as democrats, they decided to go with the popular choice of the people who happened to be in another political party.
According to him, not voting is voting for the wrong candidate.
Mr Gyang Bere, the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Plateau Governor, who voted at Dandyes, Chugwi (015) noted that the election was peaceful and the turnout was encouraging in his area.
In a related development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the ongoing re-run elections in 20 polling units in specific constituencies in Enugu, Akwa-Ibom and Kano states.
It said this was due to disruptions, irregularities and abduction of election officials.
The commission disclosed this in a statement by Mr. Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, on Saturday in Abuja.
The affected constituencies according to Olumekun include Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom; Enugu South 1 State Constituency, Enugu State; and Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency, Kano State.
Olumekun said that elections in two polling units: Village Hall, EdemUrua 003 in Ini LGA and Village Hall Mbiabong Ikot Udo 003 in Ikono LGA, where all election materials were carted away by hoodlums, have been suspended.
In Enugu South 1 State Constituency, Enugu State l, Olumekun also announced the suspension of elections in all eight polling units where the original results sheets were not available for inspection by voters before the commencement of polls.
For Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency, Kano State, he said that the commission also suspended elections in all 10 polling units in Kunchi LGA due to invasion, vandalisation and disruption by thugs.
According to him, the decision of the commission aligns with the provisions of Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
“Further, necessary measures for the affected constituencies will be announced after the commission’s meeting on Monday.
“INEC invites the security agencies to investigate the incidents, while the commission commits to thoroughly interrogating any breaches involving its officials,” Olumekun said.
