Low turnout, peaceful exercise as Enugu holds LG polls

From Jude Chinedu, Enugu

The Enugu State Local Government election held across the 17 local government areas of the state yesterday was largely peaceful, but was marred by low voter turnout and late arrival of electoral materials in parts of the state.

Electoral materials arrived at some polling centres in Enugu metropolis as late as 9:45 a.m., while several polling units recorded poor turnout.

Among the areas where low turnout was observed were Timber Market, Maryland, Independence Layout, Community Primary School, Ugwuaji and Abakpa Nike.

The election was conducted by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), to elect chairmen for the 17 local government councils and councillors for the 260 wards across the state.

Despite the delay in the arrival of materials and poor turnout in some areas, voting proceeded without reports of major violence or disruption in the areas monitored.

Former Chairman of Enugu South Local Government Area, Chief Chiemezie Nkwuo, attributed the early low turnout partly to residents who had gone back home after waiting at polling centres.

“Some residents came here before 8a.m. but later went home to attend to domestic issues and businesses. However, we are already mobilising for them to return as the election has started in earnest,” he said.

The situation, however, appeared different in some local government areas, where candidates and their supporters reported heavy turnout.

The APC chairmanship candidate for Udenu Local Government, Hon. Innocent Ezeoha, spoke shortly after casting his vote at Polling Unit 007, Amogodo Village Hall, Imilike.

“I’m happy. I voted, and I’m happy. Because, as you can see, there is no other party contesting this election except myself,” he said.

Ezeoha claimed that other political parties had declined to present candidates after his emergence as the APC candidate, adding that the feedback he received from other polling units was favourable.

“The feeling is that all of them have agreed that APC candidates, which is myself, that I’m capable enough to be the chairman of the local government.

“That is why I’m the only person on the ballot. And the feelings I’m getting from other places, all of them are affirmation. Affirmation of myself being the candidate,” he said.

In Igboeze North, the APC chairmanship candidate, Chris Onyekachi, also said there was a massive turnout in the areas he visited.

“I am very happy today to see mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters coming out in large numbers to cast their votes, which is their civic responsibility. And they have shown me the love they have for me,” he said.

Onyekachi described the exercise as peaceful, saying there were no reports of skirmishes in the polling units he monitored.

“Everything went so peacefully. His Excellency, Dr. Peter Andrew Simba, gave them their son in whom they were so pleased with and believed in.

“So there is no uproar anywhere. There are no challenges, no issues from any polling units so far,” he said.

In Igboeze South, the APC candidate, Ugo-Ferdinand Ukwueze, described the exercise as seamless, saying voters came out to exercise their franchise.

“You can see how the people, the masses, the electorate, the citizens, are so eager to donate their patriotism through exercising their franchise. For me, it’s a seamless exercise. People freely voted for candidates of their choice for this election,” he said.

Ukwueze, who is seeking a second term, said his administration would pursue what he called “Progress Agenda 2.0”, with emphasis on roads, security, primary healthcare, water and electricity.

At Nsukka, the APC chairmanship candidate, Jude Asogwa, also described the turnout as massive, saying voters remained at polling units despite the absence of an opposing candidate.

“My joy is not only that we are leading. My joy is that the turnout was massive. The love is organic,” he said.

Asogwa promised to consolidate on his first-term achievements if returned for another term.

Meanwhile, the Enugu State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Okey Ogbodo, and Chairman of Enugu South Local Government Area, Caleb Ani, commended the peaceful conduct of the election when they visited Amechi wards.

Ogbodo said the exercise was peaceful and credible, while also describing the turnout as massive in the areas he visited.

“The turnout is there for every person. The election is very credible and the turnout is very massive.

“The voters are very supportive. There doesn’t seem to be any problem anywhere,” he said.

Ogbodo said the election was also an important test ahead of future elections, describing the participation as a sign of growing democratic awareness.