Residents of Kano and Sokoto states turned out in large numbers on Saturday to vote in the re-rerun and supplementary elections in some wards and constituencies. But turnout of voters was comparatively low in Imo and Kaduna states.

The elections were in respect of one senatorial seat, 12 House of Representatives seats and 15 state assembly seats spread across 11 states. These are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Benue, Cross River, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Ogun, and Sokoto.

Voting commenced at 8am at Kofa Cikin Gari polling unit II in Bebeji local government area of Kano. Voters were seen forming queues as early as 6am. In contest were the House of Reps seats for Bebeji/Kiru, Tudun Wada/ Doguwa and Kumbotso and four state assembly seats. Polling was generally peaceful. It was similarly peaceful in Sokoto South and Sokoto North local government areas of Sokoto State.

The Public Relations Officer of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Sokoto State, Malam Musa Muhammad, said that the commission recruited 2,500 ad-hoc staff for the re-run elections. Musa said election materials were distributed early and the commission also ensured that personnel reached the designated units early for the exercise. Turnout by voters was impressive and election materials were delivered at most of the units before 8.00 a.m.

A National Youth Service Corps member, Mr. Ekong Anyekanem, who was the Presiding Officer of Polling Unit 002 Maishanu ‘B’, Unguwar Rogo, said arrangements were smooth and the exercise so far was peaceful. District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar-Jabbi, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election so far, describing it as “perfect”. Umar-Jabbi said he voted at 003 Marafa polling unit in Gagi, and urged voters to adhere to INEC’s guidelines for the exercise; as well as refrain from all actions that might jeopardise the peaceful conduct of the election.

He enjoined candidates, politicians, and voters in general, to accept the outcome of the election, adding that in any contest, there must be winners and losers. Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for Sokoto North/Sokoto South Federal Constituency, Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi, said he was satisfied with the conduct of the election so far. Abdullahi also described voters’ turnout as highly impressive and security arrangements as good. He expressed confidence that at the end of the election, he would emerge victorious. The candidate voted at Magajin Rafi Ward, Sarkin Tona ward.

The 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). The re-run election in the state was in respect of the Sanga/Kagarko State Assembly seat. Chairman of Sanga LG, Mr. Charles Danladi, said it was normal to have voter apathy as re-run elections are not usually as exciting and hot as the general elections. He said: “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, 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. All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman in the state, Mr. Emmanuel Jakada, 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.”

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Low turnout of voters also characterised the rerun and supplementary elections in some parts of Imo State. The Court of Appeal had ordered a rerun for the Okigwe/Onuimo/Isiala Mbano federal constituency and supplementary elections in 18 polling units of Orlu/Orsu/ Oru East federal and 12 polling units in Njaba state constituencies. This followed the invalidation of the election of Obinna Onwubariri from Okigwe/Onuimo/Isiala Mbano Federal Constituency.

Results of the elections in some polling units in Orlu/Orsu/Oru East Federal Constituency and Uju Onwudiwe representing Njaba State constituency were also cancelled and supplementary elections ordered to determine the winners. At Umuneke Anara polling unit in Isiala Mbano which has 1300 registered voters, only 30 had voted as at 2 pm. The people defied the stay-at-home order by the INEC and moved about their businesses freely.

At Central School Umunachi, ward 003, Central School Isiau Ozuama, Isiebu ward 002 and Umuneke/Anara polling unit 013, all witnessed voter apathy. At polling centre 014 at Anara in the Isiala Mbano LGA, Social Democratic Party scored 14 votes, APC got 106 votes, PDP 9 while All Progressives Grand Alliance got 10 votes. At booth 008 at Anara in the Isiala Mbano Local government Area, APC scored 78 votes while PDP scored 8 votes. The same voter apathy was recorded in Duruaku village square 007, Eziere village hall 002, Eziere , Ndioha Owerre village hall 004 and Ndiuhu village hall 006 all in Njaba LG.

However, a former member representing Imo North, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, who spoke to journalists after casting his vote at his Osu Achara ward, said that he was satisfied with way the exercise went. The politician said that there was an alliance to elect the All Progressives Congress candidate, Mirriam Onuoha. This is even as the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Obinna Onwubuariri, expressed optimism that he would be re-elected. He said: “I was elected into the House of Representatives in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019 but the court annulled my re-election owing to forces fighting against me. But I will win this election because we have the grassroots.”

Courtesy of The Nation.

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