Vestiges of the last presidential election resurrected like a pheonix from the ashes bin as the ordinary Nigerian who was already bogged down by myriads of suffocating problems, occasioned by bad governance, opted to remain aloof from the ongoing Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections as every moment of the every hour, anxiety mounts over alleged plans to rig and scuttle the election process.
This is as panic stricken Nigerian voters who braced all odds to exercise their franchise at the last February 25th election, appeared to be nursing wounds of the now controversial declaration of a winner in the presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Findings by The New Diplomat showed that cases of voter apathy marred the governorship and State Houses Assembly elections nationwide.
In Lagos, voter apathy made the polling units scanty across the state amid incidents of voter suppression and intimidation. Also, violence marred the process in places like Somolu, Okota, Eti-Osa and Ikorodu among others, scaring voters away in some of the polling units amid restiveness by angered voters. However, INEC officials and materials arrived many polling units on time as against the lateness witnessed during the presidential poll.
Expressing concern over the low voter turnout at Ward 1, Shasha/Akowonjo Alimosho, Lagos, Mr Saburi Odunba told The New Diplomat that “With this turn-out they didn’t make it more competitive for whoever that’s coming in as our next Governor.” Odunba who added that the turn-out was better during the last exercise, observed: “As early as 7am in the last election the number of people here were close to as much as a 1000, but what we’re seeing here is surprising, it shouldn’t be. At all times we should always make our votes count and make sure we elect people that we want in power.”
In most of the polling units in Port Harcourt, Rivers State in the South South region, the turn-out of voters was grossly inadequate compared to the crowd of voters that besieged polling units during the presidential election.
At approximately 9.45am, the infinitesimal number of voters at Ward 10 in Obiakpo local government area, presents a case of voter apathy.
The same low number of voters was reported at the 32 constituencies as voters were already heartbroken following the unsatisfactory manner the results of the last presidential election was poorly handled.
At the ward 10 at Agip junction, some young men of voting age were sighted playing football on the streets of Port Harcourt.
“Why will I vote? It’s obvious that our votes do not count anymore. Our preferred presidential candidate who we voted for didn’t win the election even when it was oblivious that he won,” Sunny, one of the street footballers said.
In Kaduna State, the atmosphere was peaceful and calm but voters seem to shun the election.
“The Governorship election process was smooth with the use of the BVAs but voters turn out is very very poor comparatively speaking with that of the last presidential election,” Augustine said.
At St. Stephen Primary in Adeniji Adele, Lagos where the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is expected to vote, the number of voters was reportedly scanty as at 10.35am
Also at the polling unit in Surulere where the Rep’s Speaker, Femi Gbjabimila would be expected to cast his vote, poor voters turn out was reported.
The Speaker’s constituency, Surulere which is notorious for violence, experienced voter apathy because of the unprecedented upsurge of violence that allegedly truncated the last presidential election.
The Speaker who stated this to newsmen shortly after he cast his vote, said the level of voter apathy is outrageous and inimical to the nation’s democracy.
In Bauchi State where the incumbent Governor, Bala Mohammed is seeking second term of office, the Governor lamented the high rate of voter empathy.
As at 10.35am, the INEC officials were reported to be at the different polling units, waiting anxiously for voters.
Also in Bayelsa State, South South region, INEC staff reportedly resume at the different polling units early enough but the voters were not there to attend to.
In Delta State, the story is the same as most polling units recorded lower turnout of voter’s.
Though pockets of violence were reported in some communities and Local government in Delta State, the South South region.
However, the failure of INEC not to deploy the BVAs for the election, may have triggered poor voters turn-out.
