Violence, deaths, ballot box snatching and voter apathy characterized the gubernatorial and States Assembly elections held across the country yesterday.
A total of 28 persons were reported dead in various states across the country. Eight persons, including a policeman, were killed yesterday before actual voting started in Rivers State. The policeman was killed in the morning at the Rex-Lawson area of the old Port Harcourt Township even before accreditation commenced.
Though the cause of the policeman’s death was not known, the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ahmad Muhammad, who confirmed the killing, said there were traces of violence before the policeman died. Muhammad said, “The policeman killed was one of those deployed to monitor the elections. We saw that there was evidence of violence before he was killed. His remains have been moved from to a nearby morgue and we have commenced investigation into the killing.”
It was gathered that one person was beheaded, while two others were shot dead in Asari-Toru local government area of the state. In Rumuomasi, a reporter with Channels Television, Grace Ekang, and his photographer were attacked and beaten by angry youths. The details of the attack were not clear. Also, in Bomu, Gokana local government area, a reporter with Silverbird Rhythm FM, Ofonime Okon, was beaten by thugs who asked if he was sent by a particular governorship candidate in the state. The vehicle he was travelling in was damaged.
In Benue State, the district head of Utange in Ushongo local government area, Zaki Joseph Kumbur, and four others were reported to have been killed, before and during the elections apparently marred by low turnout of voters. This came just as INEC offices in Tarka and Ushongo local government areas were said to have been attacked by suspected hoodlums who also snatched ballot boxes in several polling units around Makurdi, the state capital, and in parts of the state in the wave of crisis and violence that affected the polls in the state.
In Kebbi State, soldiers allegedly killed four voters in Bayan Dutse Polling Unit, Ginga Ward in Suru Local Government Area. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Nafiu Abubakar, confirmed the incident to journalists. “Yes, we have received report of four people allegedly killed by soldiers. I will give you details of the killings as soon we conclude our investigation,” he said.
In Ebonyi State, the Chairman of the PDP in Ishielu Local Government Area, Emeka Nworie, was reportedly killed by suspected political thugs in the early hours of yesterday. Police spokesperson, Chris Anyanwu, confirmed to Channels Television that Nworie was attacked in his house in Ezzagu where he was shot several times.
In Plateau State, voting was nearly marred at the Sarkin Arab Ward and environs when a young man at nearby Ali Kazaure Polling Station in Jos North Local Government Area was shot dead by a security operative. The deceased was said to be a supporter of one of the political parties and was engaging a supporter of another party in a scuffle before the security personnel standing by intervened to end the quarrel.
In Lagos, two persons were feared dead. Though, no report of ballot box snatching but the turnout was very low.
In Bauchi State, the chairperson of Bogoro Local Government Area, Hassana Arkila, confirmed the death of the PDP councilor for Gizaki/Badagari Ward, Mr Musa Daniel, saying he was beaten to death by angry youths while on electoral duty. Arkila described the attack on the councilor as unfortunate and linked the incident to saboteurs of democracy. She said :” I want to confirm the death of a PDP councilor who was beaten to death by irate youths. l am assuring the people of the state that the full wrath of law will catch up with the attackers”.
In Bayelsa, the state assembly poll in Oruma community in Ogbia council area was marred by alleged hijack of election materials by suspected thugs. Many eligible voters were said to have beaten a quick retreat to their homes when the hoodlums stormed the area and carted away election materials.
In Ondo, electoral materials going to Igbonla, Aiyetoro, Ilowo, Idi Ogba and Mahin were reportedly hijacked by thugs who ambushed INEC officials. An NYSC official who tried to rescue the electoral materials was reportedly wounded. In Idanre, a leader of the PDP in Igbepo camp, Isalu Ehinpetu Ward, Chief Adedeji Lucas, was said to have been attacked with machete while reportedly trying to stop thugs from snatching ballot boxes for the area. He was rushed to Hope Specialist Hospital where he was referred to the Specialist Hospital in the town.
In Uyo, Akwa Ibom, two youths were shot dead as they engaged thugs who had invaded their polling units on Ikot Ekpene road. A middle-aged man was reported killed at Nsit Ibium local government area. In all, over five persons were said to have lost their lives at different locations during the governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.
