TheNewsGuru

Tag: LG Elections

  • The charade of council elections in Nigeria – By Ehichioya Ezomon

    The charade of council elections in Nigeria – By Ehichioya Ezomon

    In Nigeria, we often make references to issues and happenings in the United States of America as a guide for emulation. Hence, we replaced the British parliamentary system with the American presidential model of government. In the U.S., all elections – federal, state, and local – are administered by the individual states, with many aspects of the system’s operations delegated to the county and local level.

    And these elections, to the satisfaction and acceptance of majority of Americans, are conducted relatively freely, fairly and creditably, without unduly and overly seen to be manipulated to favour the governing political parties in the states. So, can we also allow state law, not federal, to regulate most aspects of Nigeria’s elections, including administering federal, state, and local elections?

    Well, in light of the sweeping victories claimed in local council elections by parties in control of the states across Nigeria, the outcomes of all elections administered by states and councils would be better imagined than experienced. It’d result in perpetual one-party control in the states, and possibly at the national level!

    There’s been a rash of council polls in the States in Nigeria since the Supreme Court in July 2024 gave a 90-day window to state governments to conduct council elections, “to ensure a democratically-elected local government system,” and to accord with the autonomy granted the third tier of government, which state governors have opposed.

    However, it’s been a tale of democratic underhands reportedly committed by State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) allegedly appointed by state governors to scoop all votes for them during council elections – a scenario that’s played out before, and since the July 2024 Supreme Court pronouncement.

    Reports from the states indicate that where council elections have been conducted, the parties in control of the state governments have claimed virtually 100% of the chairmanship and councillorship positions, leaving the opposition to join the calls to scrap the SIECs, and mandate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all elections in Nigeria.

    For lack of faith in the SIECs, the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – mostly boycotting participation in states they’re not in control of – have alleged that council elections are organised solely to favour the ruling parties in the states.

    Even where elections were held, the SIECs would abridge the 90-day advance notice for preparation for the balloting, and on poll day, starve the opposition strongholds of ballots, especially the result sheets, while state-aided thugs run rampant and seize and/or destroy votes cast in such places.

    And in the absence of display of vote scores of the participating parties, and proper collation, the SIECs, like in a press conference, would announce – and not declare – the results, and award all or 98% to 99% of the chairmanship and councillorship positions to the parties in control of the states.

    More surprising is the speed at which the SIECs issue Certificates of Return to elected chairmen and councillors, who are also quickly sworn into office. It’s as though the certificates – with the electeds’ names embossed – are prepared in advance of the elections. That’s why the opposition accuse the ruling parties in the states of forewriting results.

    Below is a schedule of dates for council polls in many states since July 2024: Adamawa, July 14; Delta, July 14; Ebonyi, July 20; Kebbi, August 31; Enugu, September 21; Imo, September 21; Kwara, September 21; Sokoto, September 21; Akwa Ibom, October 5; Rivers, October 5; Jigawa, October 5; Benue, October 5; Plateau, October 9; Zamfara, October 16; Kogi, October 19; Kaduna, October 19; Kano, October 26; Abia, November 2; Cross River, November 2; Nasarawa, November 2;  Ogun, November 16; Ondo, January 18, 2025; Katsina, February 15; and Osun, February 22.

    Let’s flick through the results of council elections held since July 2024, showing – except in Abia, Jigawa, Nasarawa and Rivers – near-identical or similar winning streaks by parties running the states. Most of the results were announced at the headquarters of the SIECs, represented hereunder with their acronyms in the states.

    *Adamawa (July 14): Chairman of the ADSIEC, Mohammed Umar, announcing the poll results in Yola on July 21, said the PDP cleared all 21 councils (chairmanship) and 226 wards (councillorship) seats, while New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) picked one ward.

    *Delta (July 14): Chairman of the DSIEC, Jerry Agbaiki, in Asaba on July 21, said the PDP won all 25 councils and 499 wards, with the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) taking one ward.

    *Ebonyi (July 20): Chairman of the EBSIEC, Jossey Eze, on July 21 in Abakaliki, said the APC won all 13 councils and the 171 wards.

    *Kebbi (August 31): Chairman of the KESIEC, Aliyu Muhammad-Mera, declared in Birnin Kebbi on September 1, that the APC won all 21 councils and the 225 wards, with the PDP boycotting the poll over alleged “mutual relationship” between the KESIEC and the APC.

    *Enugu (September 21): Chairman of the ENSIEC, Prof. Christian Ngwu, in Enugu on September 22 and 23, announced the PDP as winner of the 17 councils and 260 wards, respectively.

    *Imo (September 21): Chairman of the ISIEC, Charles Ejiogu, at a press briefing in Owerri on September 23, said the APC won in all 27 councils and 305 wards, even as he promised to release specific vote counts in due course.

    *Sokoto (September 21): Alhaji Aliyu Suleiman, chairman of the SIEC, announced on September 23 in Sokoto that the APC swept all 23 councils and the 244 wards, and quickly issued the winners with certificates of return. The PDP boycotted the election.

    *Kwara (September 21): Chairman of the KWSIEC, Mohammed Baba-Okanla, in a statement released on September 22 in Ilorin, noted that the APC won all 16 councils and the 193 wards.

    *Akwa Ibom (October 5): A list signed by the Chairman of AKISIEC, AniediAbasi Ikoiwak, in Uyo on October 6, showed that the PDP won 30 of the 31 councils, and the APC got one seat where Senate President Godswill Akpabio hails from, with the APC craving for the day the INEC would takeover conduct of council elections.

    *Benue (October 5): Chairman of the BSIEC, Richard Tombowua, announced in Makurdi on October 6 that the APC won all 23 councils and the 276 wards.

    *Jigawa (October 5): Chairman of the JISIEC, Hon. Auwalu Muhammad Harbo, via a statement in Dutse by JISIEC’s spokesman, Habibu Yarima, on October 6, said the APC won all 27 councils and 281 of the 287 wards, with Accord Party (AP) securing four wards, and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) winning one ward, leaving the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) protesting.

    *Rivers (October 5): Chairman of the RSIEC, retired Hon. Justice Adolphus Enebeli, announced in Port Harcourt on October 6 that the Action Peoples Party (APP) – a proxy of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the PDP – won 22 of the 23 councils, and Action Alliance (AA) took one seat. While the APP swept 314 wards, the APC, Boot Party (BP), Labour Party (LP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Young Peoples Party (YPP) won one ward each. The election held despite protests by the PDP, and the APC that got a court injunction to stay the poll.

    *Plateau (October 9): Chairman of the PLASIEC, Plangji Cishak, announcing in Jos results for 15 and two councils on October 10 and 11, said the PDP claimed all seats in the 17 councils, with the APC alleging electoral heist.

    *Zamfara (October 16): Chairman of the ZASIEC, Bala Aliyu, on October 17 in Gusau, declared that the PDP won all 14 councils and the 147 wards, with the APC boycotting the poll over ZASIEC’s alleged contravention of the three-month notice the electoral law mandates.

    *Kogi (October 19): The Chairman of the KOSIEC, Nda Eri, stated in Lokoja on October 20 that the APC secured all 21 councils and the 239 wards.

    *Kaduna (October 19): Chairman of the  (KADSIECOM), Hajara Muhammad, said in Kaduna on October 20 that the APC won the 23 councils and 255 wards.

    *Kano, (October 26): Chairman of the KANSIEC, Prof. Sani Lawal Malurnfashi, briefing reporters in Kano on October 27, said the NNPP swept all 44 councils and the 484 wards.

    *Cross River (November 2): Chairman of the CRSIEC, Dr Ekong Boco, announced on November 3 in Calabar that the APC candidates, including three females, took all 18 councils and the 193 wards.

    *Nasarawa (November 2): Chairman of the NASIEC, Barr. Ayuba Usman, announced on November 3 in Lafia that the APC won the 13 councils and 140 of the 147 wards, while the SDP won five and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) won two wards, respectively.

    *Abia (November 2): Opposition ZLP – allegedly a front for Governor Alex Otti of the LP – emerged victorious in 15 of the 17 councils, while the YPP claimed two councils, as announced by the Chairman of ABSIEC, Prof. George Chima, on November 2 in Umuahia.

    *Ogun (November 16): Chairman of the OGSIEC, Babatunde Osibodu, announcing the results on October 17 in Abeokuta, said the APC won all 20 councils and the 236 wards.

    While the schedules for council elections in 2025 in three states are: Ondo, January 18, Katsina, February 15, and Osun, February 22; states that conducted council polls between July 2021 and June 2024 also claimed blowout victories, as follows:

    *Lagos (July 2021): APC won all 20 councils, and 375 of 377 wards. * Niger (November 22): APC won all 25 councils and the wards. * Edo (September 2023): PDP won all 18 councils and the 192 wards. * Taraba (November 2023): PDP claimed all 16 councils and the 168 wards. * Ekiti: (December 2023): APC won all 38 councils and the 177 wards.

    Others are: * Borno (January 2024): APC clinched all 27 councils, including first female chairmanship, and the 312 wards. * Bayelsa (April 2024): PDP won all eight councils and the 103 wards. * Gombe (April 2024): APC won all 11 councils and the 114 wards. * Oyo (April 2024): PDP secured all councils and the wards. * Yobe (June 2024): APC won all 17 councils, with 15 of the chairmanships returned unopposed.

    The irony of council elections in Nigeria is that their conduct have attracted little or no monitoring and reporting by election observers, and civil society organisations (CSOs), who overlook unbridled rigging at the polling units, where votes may not be counted, declared and displayed, and collation of results done behind the scenes, and yet, the governing party in the states would claim 100% of the chairmanship and councillorship positions.

    Election observers and CSOs –  fixated on federal and state ballots upon which they make parallel and contradictory claims to INEC’s, even when the processes are still in progress on election day – shut their eyes to massive manipulation of council polls across board, and give an all-clear and a “Grade A” passmark to the SIECs for “a job well done.”

    Where does the salvation lie in checking electoral malpractice at the council levels? Is it in the INEC? Many Nigerians think so, even as they vilify the commission as incompetent, corrupt and compromising during national and state elections. Hence, the Akwa Ibom APC publicity secretary, OtoAbasi Udo, reacting to the sweeping victory of the PDP in the October 5 council poll in the state, despite robust campaigns by the opposition, prays for a future without SIECs.

    His words: “The Party, ably led by Obong Stephen Leo Ntukekpo, uses this opportunity to express her sincere thanks and appreciation to you all for your tireless, steadfast,  unalloyed support and commitment to the Party and assure you that with the Supreme Court judgment that returned full autonomy to the third tier of government, the local government, enshrined in our Constitution, and the steps taken by the National Assembly to give full effect to the judgment, from the next election, all SIECs, in charge of local government elections now, would have been dismantled, incapacitated and laid to rest, and a bright prospect for future local government elections firmly put in place.”

     

    Mr Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria. Can be reached on X, Threads, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp @EhichioyaEzomon. Tel: 08033078357.

  • Observers rate conduct of Zamfara LG election

    Observers rate conduct of Zamfara LG election

    The election observers delegation for Saturday’s local government councils election in Zamfara State has commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise.

    The leader of the delegation, Dr Larazus Nwachukwu, who spoke to newsmen in Gusau on Sunday said that the election was largely peaceful, free and fair. 18 political parties participated in the election.

    The State Independent Electoral Commission (ZASIEC) had declared PDP candidates winners of all the 14 Chairmanship and 147 Councillorship positions across the state.

    Nwachukwu said that the election observers team made up of 47 accredited NGOs and CSOs observed the election. He said that the observers were divided into three teams, which covered the three Senatorial Districts of the state.

    “Our teams visited all the 14 local government areas of the state. Based on the reports gathered, the exercise was generally peaceful as the electorate filed out in their numbers to exercise their constitutional rights. The election was largely peaceful and credible across the state,” he added.

    Nwachukwu attributed the success recorded in the election to the early distribution of election materials by the Zamfara Independent Electoral Commission (ZASIEC).

    ”The political parties’ agents were seen protecting the interest of their parties at the various polling units visited.

    “The election was credible and participatory across the state. We noticed that ZASIEC followed the due process and relevant electoral laws. Therefore, we are satisfied with all the election processes,” he explained.

  • APC sweeps Ogun LG election, wins all 20 LGAs

    APC sweeps Ogun LG election, wins all 20 LGAs

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won all the 20 local government chairmanship and 236 councillors positions in the council elections held in Ogun on Saturday.

    The Chairman of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), Babatunde Osibodu, announced the results on Sunday at the Commission’s headquarters in Abeokuta.

    Osibodu said that 19 political parties including People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party participated in the election.

    The winners of the chairmanship positions are: Afeez Balogun (Abeokuta – South), Wasiu Lawal (Ado-Odo/Ota), Olusola Akinbode (Yewa – North) , Abraham Ogunsola (Yewa-South), Sikiru Adesina (Ewekoro), Olalekan Kusimo (Ifo), and  Oluwadamilare Kehinde (Ijebu-East).

    Others are Bolaji Odusanya (Ijebu – North) and Joseph Badejo (Ijebu North- East ),  Damilare Alebiosu (Ijebu-Ode), Jamiu Asimi (Ikenne ), Aremu Olorode (Imeko – Afon) , Avoseh Akohomeh (Ipokia), Adesina Ogunsola (Obafemi-Owode) and Folasade Adeyemo (Odeda).

    The winners also include Babatunde Diya (Odogbolu), Ganiyu Odunnoiki (Ogun – Waterside), Muyiwa Sodade (Remo-Nort), Olasile Odulate (Sagamu) and Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo (Abeokuta-North).

  • All is set for Saturday’s LG elections – OGSIEC chairman

    All is set for Saturday’s LG elections – OGSIEC chairman

    The Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), says all is set for the conduct of Saturday Local Government Elections across the 20 councils in the State.

    The Chairman of OGSIEC, Mr Babatunde Osibodu, stated this in an interview in Abeokuta on Friday. Osibodu urged the electorate to go out en-mass to perform their civic responsibilities.

    He noted that electoral materials were already being transported to the appropriate local governments for effective distribution.

    A visit to the commission’s office in Abeokuta revealed that transport operators and security agents needed for the distribution of sensitive materials were already on ground.

    Electoral Officers from the local governments were also seen at the commission’s office ready to collect the materials for a smooth exercise on Saturday.

    OGSIEC had earlier solicited the support of stakeholders including the media at a parley where it reiterated determination to conduct credible elections.

    LG elections: Ogun police warn against violence

    The Police Command in Ogun has warned anyone with intention of disrupting the peaceful conduct of Saturday’s local government elections to desist or face the wrath of law.

    SP Omolola Odutola, the Command’s spokesperson said this in a statement in Abeokuta on Friday. She said that the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu , had put in place security strategies to ensure law and order during the election process.

    Odutola said that the police would ensure safety of voters and electoral materials. She urged members of the public to cooperate with the process and avoid interference or taking laws into their hands.

    The spokesperson called on politicians and electorates to refrain from acts inimical to election laws such as snatching of ballot boxes, election violence and utterance capable of inciting violence.

    ”Restriction has been placed between 6:00a.m and 3:00p.m within the state to ensure a seamless voting process. Movement has been initiated to control commercial transporters of all sorts to comply with the process.

    ”Flash points have been manned by police mobile force, tactical teams and intervention squad as well as plain clothes detectives.

    ”These operatives have been adequately equipped to clamp down on troublemakers and anyone or groups with nefarious intent to cause mayhem will be arrested and prosecuted,” she said.

  • BREAKING: Ogun govt declares work-free day for LG election

    BREAKING: Ogun govt declares work-free day for LG election

    The Ogun State Government has announced Friday November 15, 2024 as a work-free day for civil and public servants in the State ahead of the local government election scheduled to hold in the State on Saturday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ogun Bureau of Service Matters, Office of the Head of Service, made the announcement, saying approval was given for the work-free day by the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

    According to the Bureau, the work-free day is intended to give workers the opportunity to travel to their respective local government areas to participate in the local government elections scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024.

    The elections, organized by the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), will see the election of chairpersons for Ogun State’s twenty local government areas and councillors for its 236 wards.

    “This initiative underscores the administration’s dedication to fostering inclusiveness and participatory democracy. Permanent Secretaries and heads of government agencies have been advised to ensure compliance with this directive,” a statement by the Bureau of Service Matters reads.

  • PDP rejects Cross River LG election results, heads to court

    PDP rejects Cross River LG election results, heads to court

    The Cross River chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the local government elections conducted on Saturday in the state fell short of every standard to be called an election.

    The party subsequently rejected the results and said it will challenge the outcome in a competent court of law.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the PDP Chairman in the state, Mr Venatius Ikem in Calabar on Monday.

    Ikem described what transpired to be a well-orchestrated rigging plan which include the diversion of election materials, late arrival of insufficient ballot papers without standard serial numbers, and result sheets.

    He noted that at most of the polling units, CROSIEC official stamps were not provided for the Presiding Officers to stamp the ballot papers after appending their signatures for authentication as required by law.

    “From inception, the processes were skewed to favour the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the composition of the electoral umpire.

    “We obviously underrated the charade that the electoral umpire was cooking in the name of the local government election witnessed on Saturday, November 2.

    “In Calabar South, Municipality, Obudu, Abi, Obubra in particular, election materials, meant for the entire local governments, were diverted to the houses of APC stalwarts where thumb printings were brazenly carried out.

    “For instance, In Obudu no single election material was issued to anyone except the APC that took custody and carted them away to the Military School in Bedia.

    “At this location soldiers cordoned off every one except APC members ostensibly on the orders of a serving army General from the area who is an elder brother of the APC candidate.

    “Again, in Obanlikwu and Bekwarra local government areas where ballot papers were distributed no single results sheets accompanied them and results were written on ordinary papers,” he stated.

    The PDP Chairman attributed these “shenanigans” to the poor performance of the APC both at the federal and state levels.

    According to him, this instilled palpable fears amongst members of the ruling party and made them to be scared of a free and fair contest to avoid embarrassment from the electorate.

    “Accordingly, we reject any result emanating from the purported election because, as far as we are concerned, there was nothing like a local government election in Cross River.

    “We state boldy that never in the political history of Cross River  have electorate witnessed this kind of monumental electoral fraud perpetrated on Saturday.

    “We urge all our members to remain calm and peaceful as the party shall pursue the outcome in a competent court of law,” he declared.

    Recall that the state electoral umpire had absolved itself of any blame on what transpired on the field on Saturday.

    The Chairman, Dr Ekong Boco had blamed the political parties for the lapses and stated that the commission did all it could to ensure a successful exercise.

    The commission had on Sunday declared APC as the winner of  all the available 18 Chairmanship seats as well as the 196 councillorship seats across the 18 council areas.

  • Gov Sule reacts after swearing in newly elected LG chairmen

    Gov Sule reacts after swearing in newly elected LG chairmen

    Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has urged the newly elected chairmen of 13 Local Government Areas of the state to be transparent and accountable in discharging their duties.

    Speaking at their swearing-in ceremony on Monday in Lafia, Sule urged them to execute projects and programmes that would have direct bearing on the lives of the people.

    “You are to embrace transparency, accountability, probity and above all prudence in the management of public resources.

    “I want to congratulate the elected Chairmen and 147 Councillors for your emergence. Your emergence is a reflection of confidence that the electorate reposed in you.

    “I call on you to justify the confidence reposed in you by turning around the fortunes of your respective local government areas,” the governor said.

    Sule also commended security agencies for maintaining peace before, during and after the election in the state.

    Responding on behalf of the chairmen, Mr Mohammed Haliru, the chairman of Lafia, pledged their commitment to good governance.

    He thanked the electorate for electing them, and promised that they would deliver as promised.

    All Progressives Congress (APC) won in all the 13 LGAs in Nasarawa State.

  • APC sweeps Cross River, Nasarawa LG elections

    APC sweeps Cross River, Nasarawa LG elections

    The Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC) has declared the 13 chairmanship candidates of All Progressives Congress (APC) as winners of the Nov. 2 local government election in the State.

    Mr Ayuba Wandai, Chairman of the commission and Returning Officer, made the declaration on Sunday at the commission’s office in Lafia. Wandai also declared that the councillorship candidates of APC won in the 140 electoral wards out of 147 while candidates of opposition parties won seven councillorship seats.

    He said that the candidates of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) won one seat in Akwanga, four in Nassarawa-Eggon, while Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) won two in Doma Local Government. The commission’s chairman explained that nine political parties presented candidates in the local  government elections.

    Similarly, the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) says the All Progressives Congress (APC) has won all  18 chairmanship and 196 councillorship  seats in the state.

    Dr Ekong Boco, Chairman of the commission, announced the results at the commission’s office in Calabar on Sunday. The election was conducted in all the 18 local government areas in the state on Saturday.

    Boco urged the elected chairmen and councillors to be magnanimous in victory and also give priority to the development of their local governments. Boco, thereafter, presented  certificates  of return to the winners.

  • Abia LG Chairmen-elect issued certificates of return

    Abia LG Chairmen-elect issued certificates of return

    The Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC), on Sunday, issued Certificates of Return to the mewly elected 17 Local Government Chairmen.

    The Chairman of ABSIEC, Prof. George Chima, issued the certificates at the commission’s headquarters in Umuahia.

    Zenith Labour Party clinched 15 Chairmanship positions, while the Young Progressives Party won two in Saturday’s council polls.

    In a speech at the brief ceremony, Chima charged the chairmen to align their programmes with the rebuilding agenda of the Gov. Alex Otti’s administration.

    “I wish you all success and urge you to carry out developmental projects in your various LGAs.

    “We are going to be evaluating you and would be publishing the works of the most performing chairmen,” he said.

    Chima urged the chairmen to work closely with their deputies because “you know the implications of changing your deputies without following due process”.

    He said that during the commission’s tour and screening process it was observed that many people were not familiar with their specific wards or the locations of their electoral units.

    “This lack of awareness could limit participation in either local governance or electoral activities,” Chima said.

    He said that ABSIEC had prepared educational materials that would be displayed at the headquarters of the 17 LGAs to enlighten the people about their various LGAs.

    Responding, the Chairman of  Umunneochi LGA, Mr Sunday Afuruike, commended ABSIEC for conducting a free and fair election and thanked the electorate for their votes.

    “My colleagues and I are poised to deliver the dividend of democracy to the people like the governor is doing,” Afuruike said.

  • BREAKING: ZLP wins 15 out of 17 LGAs in Abia LG election

    BREAKING: ZLP wins 15 out of 17 LGAs in Abia LG election

    The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) has won 15 out of 17 local government areas in the local government election conducted in Abia State on Saturday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Abia LG election was conducted amidst late delivery of materials and other logistics hitches that delayed voting.

    Chairman of the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC), Prof Chima George, disclosed that ZLP won the 15 LGAs while announcing the results of the election.

    Prof George announced that the Young Progressives Party (YPP) won in the Osisioma and Ugwunagbo local government areas of the State.

    The Abia local government election results were announced by ABSIEC Chairman at the commission’s headquarters in Umuahia, where he said said that the chairmanship and councillorship polls took place in the 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and that the exercise was “free fair and credible”.

    “We have carried out the duty we were inaugurated on September 5 to undertake. It was not an easy task, but we went out on our way to create awareness about the elections across the state.

    “It must be noted that, in recent times, this commission has not conducted an election where over 12 political parties took part, this on its own is a plus to the commission,” George said.

    He stressed the election was a demonstration of the commission’s dedication, focus and efficiency. He expressed joy that the commission successfully completed, in just two months, a task that typically required six to 12 months of effort.

    “I congratulate the winners and the losers too, because in any election there must be winners and losers. The most important thing is that Abia has been peaceful and I want the peace to continue.

    “I appreciate the security agencies for their support, political parties for playing the game according to the rule,” George said.

    TNG reports ZLP won in Isiala Ngwa South, Isiala Ngwa North, Umuahia North, Umuahia South, Ukwa East, Ukwa West, Obingwa, Aba North, Aba South, Isuikwuato, Umunneochi, Arochukwu, Bende, and Ohafia LGAs, while the remaining two LGAs of Osisioma and Ugwunagbo were won by YPP.

    The local government election in Umuahia and Aba areas of Abia took place amidst late delivery of materials and other logistics hitches that delayed voting. In places where materials came early, the voter turnout was impressive but low in areas where materials were delivered several hours behind schedule.

    It was also observed that there was large turnout of voters in areas where a Chairmanship or Councillorship Candidates hail from.

    In Umuahia, voting commenced between 11am and 12.45 pm in many polling units as against 8am, following the delay in the delivery of election materials.

    Voter turnout was largely impressive at Aba Park Polling Unit and Polling Units 001, 002 and 018 at Umuwaya Road Primary School and Urban Ward 1 Umuwaya Primary School Polling Unit 29.

    In an interview with NAN, some voters expressed disappointment over the delay in the delivery of election materials. They, however, expressed delight over the peaceful conduct of the exercise at their polling units.

    A civil servant, Mr Chiwetara Okwesiri, said that he cast his vote around 2p.m. Okwesiri said that, although the delay initially dampened his zeal, he was ultimately glad to vote, saying that he was impressed by the  peaceful atmosphere.

    A trader, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, also said that he had a smooth experience and was able to vote for his preferred candidates.

    “At first, it seemed like the election might not hold, but I am happy it went ahead as planned, and I was able to participate,” he said.

    At the Abia University Primary School, Abayi, Aba, the turnout was  poor. Mr David Chimezie, an All Progressives Grand Alliance agent at Ward 3 Unit 090, expressed concern over the poor turnout of voters.

    He said that only three persons voted at the unit, which was concluding endorsement of the results at the time NAN visited. He, however, said the election went on smoothly without any problem or interferences.

    Mr Celestine Ogbonna said he got to his polling unit at about 11 am.

    “By that time, the materials had not come and after waiting for about one hour and not seeing anything, I went back home,” he said.

    At Ayaba Umueze Primary School Ward 3 unit 013, Mr Happiness Amaechi, a Zenith Labour Party agent said the turnout was massive at the unit.

    He said that the polling officers came around 1pm and that voting ended when ballot papers got exhausted.

    As at 4:45pm, the party agents and polling officers at the centre were still counting the votes. At Abayi Amaugwu Ward 3 Unit 010, the election started at about 2 pm and ended before 4 pm.

    It was learnt that only few persons that waited for the materials were able to vote at the unit, while many others, who lacked the patience to wait, retired home earlier.

    Abia LG polls: Aba residents blame ABSIEC for low voter turnout

    Earlier, a cross-section of Aba electorate berated the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) for its alleged poor showing in the Saturday’s chairmanship and councillorship election in the State.

    The people blamed the low voter turnout on the late arrival of ABSIEC staff and electoral materials at the polling units, which delayed the commencement of the exercise across the state.

    Correspondents, who monitored the election in Aba South, report that many prospective voters, who turned up to exercise their franchise, became frustrated and left after waiting for several hours without the presence of ABSIEC officials.

    At Ngwa Ward 4, materials were delivered at about 4.10pm and accreditation and voting commenced by about 4.38pm

    Some voters, who spoke to NAN on the development, complained about the late delivery of election materials and officials. They alleged that the delay was delibrate on the part of the commission.

    Mr Udochukwu Eze expressed joy that he finally cast his vote after waiting for a long period of time.

    ”I voted at Unit 13 Ward 4 and I thank God that the election did not only take place today but was very peaceful too.

    “Although ABSIEC came late and many had gone home after waiting for so long but a determined voter had no option than to wait.

    “I know that some are just coming from their homes to vote, while some waited nearby for the arrival of materials,” Eze said.

    Another voter, Mrs Agnes Ide, expressed dismay over the delay and called on the State Government to do something so that people would not lose confidence in the electoral process.

    “I almost went back home and if I had left, nothing would bring me back,” Ide said.

    There were no security personnel at the polling centres visited but the exercise was generally rancour-free. Reacting to the complaints, Commissioner II in charge of Voter Education and Enlightenment in ABSIEC, Dr Kelechukwu Okere, said “it is not true that materials arrived late at the polling units”.

    Okere told NAN that the commission made adequate arrangements for the seamless distribution of materials and election officials to ensure a smooth exercise.