By Ayodele Oni
Preliminary report on the Abuja area council election indicates that residents on Saturday disregarded the movement restriction imposed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, as well as directives from the police, continuing with their normal activities.
According to reports, commercial vehicles, tricycles, and motorcycle operators were busy ferrying residents across different areas of the FCT.
At Airport Road, Jikwoyi, Nyanya, Kuje, Gwagwalade, and parts of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), traffic flowed freely, with no barricades observed.
On the Kubwa-Nyanya highway, however, security personnel were seen blocking the road with their trucks, forcing motorists to use a single lane as they attempted to bypass the military presence.
Most businesses across the FCT remained closed, with shops locked, though some shop owners, laundry operators, and Point of Sale service providers continued to operate along parts of Airport Road.
By 8:10 a.m., electoral materials were being transported from the Kuje central distribution centre at Science Primary School to various polling stations within the area council.
Polling units in Aleyita on Airport Road were largely deserted, with only a few security personnel present, while INEC officials had not yet arrived.
By 8:26 a.m., only five voters had shown up at the centre, two of whom were political party agents.
One voter, Mr Andrew James, said, “I had been at the polling unit as early as 7:00 a.m. to cast my vote but was disappointed that no INEC official was on ground.”
James also noted that for convenience, “all the six polling units in the community were collapsed at LEA Primary School, Aleyita.”
At Pilot Science Primary School, Kwali, voting had not started as of 8:33 a.m., while INEC officials were seen briefing party agents on the election guidelines.
There was confusion in parts of Lokogoma, Abuja, as a voter and media personality, Inya Ode, lamented the absence of her designated polling unit at EFAB Estate during the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.
There was also allegations of vote buying at some polling units as a voter, who spoke openly claiming that individuals linked to the PDP were distributing ₦2000 to voters in exchange for their support during the ongoing council election.
At Kutunku I Primary School in Kutunku Ward, Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a voter alleged that agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were offering cash inducements to sway voters.
He added, “Usman Nga’aha gave me ₦5,000. If you vote for PDP, they will give you ₦2,000.”
When asked to clarify who gave him the money, he responded, “Usman Nga’aha. ₦5,000.”
Despite admitting to collecting the money, the voter insisted that his decision was not influenced by the cash.
“I didn’t say I don’t need their money. I just like them. I just vote for them. I don’t need their money. I just vote. I get joy for them,” he said.
Also report from Kano state where a by election took place revealed that three major opposition political parties are missing on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ballot.
The opposition parties missing on the ballot papers are Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The by-election election to fill the two vacant seats in the state house of assembly became necessary following the passing of the former lawmakers last year who were members of the NNPP before their demise.
Nine political parties, excluding PDP, NNPP and ADC, are boldly listed on the ballot papers.
Discover more from The Source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
