Confusion over Local Government election in Anambra, as APGA in early leads

 

Confusion, late arrival and none arrival of materials as well as absence of result sheets were some of the issues that characterized the Local government elections in Anambra state today.

It was however peaceful despite the low turn out of voters and late arrival of polling materials recorded in most polling units.

Despite the alleged boycott in some quarters that they would not participate, thousands of people trooped out to cast their votes but were disappointed at some units by none availability of election officials and election result sheets at other places as well as non availability of election materials in some areas.

Complaints trailed the election in Awka South and Awka North as election materials never arrived any polling units in Awka North as at the time of filling in this report while Awka South Youths insisted that no elections would hold unless result sheets were presented.

The Awka youths even protested round Awka wards chanting anti election songs that there would be no election unless result sheets are available.

The 20 wards in Awka South of which Awka Town has 9 were said to have been won by APGA but youths led by Anayo said it was not true as they protested during the election because of lack of results sheets. 

Meanwhile more protests rocked Awka following the Local government election as the Councillorship candidates of five political parties in Agulu Awka ward 5, Awka , Awka South Local government protested widely against the election.

The councillorship candidates of the parties including Labour -Azuka Nwobu; PPA –Chinedu Agumadu; Accord—Ekenechukwu Molokwu; PPN – Ekjike Nnonyelu ; PDP- Onyie Ekwenugo led wide protests against the election alleging APGA wanted to rig the election in favour of their candidate.

The alleged that the electoral officers were card carrying members of APGA and insisted the election would not hold threatening to challenge any result released in court as no election held.

Reports from Nnewi South, Nnewi North and Orumba North and South as well as Anambra East and West indicated late arrival of materials with people going about their normal businesses.

At Amawbia ward 2, Araonu Ekene said the election was a charade as it was a complete waste of tax payers’ money without anything to show for it. He said election materials came late and there was no proper election.

But despite that at some points, like Anaocha, Onitsha North and South local government were said to be peaceful and going on unperturbed  even as Governor Peter Obi has described the Local Government election as peaceful and well organized.

Governor Obi was speaking at Umudimakasi polling unit, Amatutu Ward Two, Agulu after casting his vote accompanied by his wife, Margaret.

The Governor on arrival with his wife queued behind other voters and they cast their votes by 1:45pm. Governor Obi said reports received across the State confirmed that the exercise was going on very well and people voted freely.

He explained that the success of the election would impact positively on the future of the State and recalled that several previous attempts to conduct the election were scuttled by some people because of selfish reasons.

The National Secretary, Forum of State Independent Electoral Commission of Nigeria and Chairman Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission, Dr. Mrs. Hannatu Usman Biniyat extolled the massive turn out of voters and noted that it was the first Local Government election in the country that recorded such a high turnout.

Dr. Mrs. Biniyat who said they arrived since Friday explained that they visited many Local Government areas and observed the distribution of electoral materials to various points while lapses identified were quickly rectified.

The Presiding Officer of the Unit, Miss Ukamaka Anigboso said they commenced accreditation and voting immediately the materials arrived.

Some of the voters, Mr. Ikenna Uchendu and Mrs. Marie Onyeka said the exercise was peaceful and smooth.

 

At Awka North, Chairman of President Generals in Awka North , Mr Cletus Osieme said no election was held in the 10 communities of the local government.

 But Hon Nnatuanya Paul countered his claims saying election was conducted free and fair and APGA won the 14 wards in Awka North landslide, accusing Osieme of traveling abroad when the election was conducted.

Nnatuanya who also won Ebenebe ward 2 confirmed that other communities in Awka North conducted elections against what Osieme was claiming and urged him to stop fanning the embers of tension.

In Onitsha and environs Woliwo, Upper Iweka, Ilo Okoye, Borromeo Odume axis ,Awada, Ichi and Oraifite, accreditation and voting commenced simultaneously between 10 to 12pm while voting was  conducted peacefully.

Though there was low turn out of voters, party agents of APGA, PDP and Labour Party were seen trying to woo voters and complete the process.

At Mbaukwu , Nibo and  Umuawulu   in Awka South Local Government areas, security agents were seen at various polling booths to ensure orderliness but  voters complained of the absence  of result sheets.

Director, Ifeanyi Ubah Campaign Organization and indigene of Mbaukwu, Mazi Omeife I. Omeife said there was no election in all the 20 polling booths in Mbaukwu.

Omife alleged that the Treasurer of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Awka South Local Government was the ANSIEC Returning officer for Mbaukwu wards who according to him allegedly ensured that other party candidates were frustrated in the election.  

Omife said that the APGA stalwarts planned to frustrate the exercise because the Labour party candidate for Awka South was already coasting home to victory as all Awka indigenes voted massively for him.

The APGA Councillorship candidate for Awada Ward 9, Chinedu Romanus Eze has commended the Anambra electorates for keeping faith in the democratic system. 

Chinedu said the people deserve to be praised for their resilience in spite of many years of the absence of elected officials at the local councils in Anambra State.

He also commended Gov. Obi for restoring democracy at the grassroots.

Photo: Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission Chairman (ANSIEC) Hon Sylvester Okonkwo assisted by Member ANSIEC going through election sheets.