The re-run governorship election in Cross River yesterday recorded unimpressive turn out of voters at most polling booths in the state. Our correspondent observed that the re-run was peaceful and devoid of any form of violence but apathy was obvious.
In all the local governments visited, there were no complaints about shortage of election materials as was the case in previous elections.
Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who went round Calabar-South, Calabar Municipality, Ikom, Obubra and other council areas report that voting started at about 10.30am instead of 8.00a.m advertised by INEC.
This was because as at 10.00 a.m. election materials were still being conveyed from INEC local government offices to various polling centres.
Senator Liyel Imoke who is seeking to return to power, having being ousted by the judgement of the Court of Appeal voted at the Government Primary School, Itigidi after which he told reporters that he was impressed by the large turn out of voters. “The turn out is the people�s expression of choosing who they want”, Imoke stated.
He commended INEC for organizing a free and fair election and the prompt delivery of election materials as well as the orderliness that characterized the election.
Deputy Senate Leader, Chief Victor Ndoma-Egba told reporters in Ikom after casting his vote that the turn out was quite impressive. “We also expect that the PDP will win very massively.
“We have worked very hard to sensitize the people about the election and they turned out in large numbers”, he said. Ndoma-Egba said he was convinced that the PDP has no rivals in the state.”Instead of the PDP getting weaker, it is getting stronger”, he said,
He said what the opposition did by going to court was right but pointed out that “what they have just done is to extend the tenure of Senator Liyel Imoke.”
Ndoma-Egba said he was not comfortable with the lack of opposition in the state saying that democracy should be about choice. “If you don�t have an opposition, you will be denied of alternative views or options”.
On his part, the member representing Abi/Yakurr in the House of Representatives, Mr. Bassey Eko Ewa, expressed satisfaction with the turn out of people for the election which he said was conducted peacefully.
Observers say that INEC electoral officers arrived at about 10.30 a.m. and as at 11.15 a.m. only four people had voted. NAN reports that at Edibe Edibe polling centre in the same vicinity, only six voters were seen trying to vote as at 11.25 a.m. At about 11.35 a.m. no person had voted at the Government Secondary School, Anantigha polling unit in the metropolis. That was the scenario at all the polling centres visited, as most of the eligible voters went about their businesses.
There were no party agents at all the polling centres except at one of the centres where a PDP agent was present. When asked why voters were not coming out to vote, an INEC officer alleged that some of the voters that came to vote said they would only vote if they were offered money.
At Ikom in Ikom Council Area, voting started at about 10.30a.m. with very low turn out of voters, while in Obubra, Yakurr, Akamkpa Council areas and others, the story was the same.
Observers report that there was no restriction of movement as private vehicle owners moved freely with the exception of commercial vehicles and motor cycle operators. Markets and other business outlets were also shut during the voting period within the Calabar metropolis.