Saturday's gubernatorial and House elections in Rivers proved voter indifference.
Unlike the February 25th presidential election, when voters poured in en masse, few seemed to care about the gubernatorial and congressional elections.
Most residents of Obio Akpor, Port Harcourt, and Oyigbo, local government areas dominated by non-Indigenous peoples, especially the Igbo, stayed in their homes and ignored elections.
The streets were empty and I could see people enjoying the soccer game.
Officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) arrived at polling stations on time with ballots. For the most part, INEC officials waited for a trickle of voters to cast their ballots.
Some of the shops were found on many streets of the capital, but some community markets in the Chinda district of Obio Akpol have opened for skeleton shops.
In Unit 7A, Ward 9, where Governor Nyesom Wike was voting, INEC officials arrived early and community members went out to vote.
Polling stations were also less crowded than during the presidential election.
The election was largely peaceful, although there were few reports of fighting and shootings in some parts of the state. One observer said he was surprised that river basin elections were held without violence.
An observer named Nelson said:
“I was surprised by the election coverage today.
“After the 2019 election experience, Kalabari was classified as a hotbed.
But I have covered this area. And fortunately, the voting process was largely peaceful.
“I think the people of Karabari have left the ugly experience of 2019 behind them, except for Asari Tol, who had an election delay and subsequent cancellation.
There were reports of shootings and killings in Ogbakiri, Emohua Local Government Area of the state.
Wyke, who voted for Obio-Akpor of Unit 7 in District 9, gave the election process high marks.
Governors who voted against 11:
At 8pm, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) praised the improved electoral process. However, he lamented the attempts by INEC's security director to breach security in support of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate for governor Magnus Abe.
He said the apparent indifference was to be expected as some felt they had missed the February 25 target.
The governor said:
“In contrast to what we experienced on February 25, today is much better. When the first elections were held, people were disappointed that they didn't get what they wanted. .
"But whatever it is, you can't force people to vote. I am happy that the election is proceeding peacefully. This means that the security authorities are working well.
"Even if INEC denies it, it's a shame because that's right. Magnus Abe says he's from Ogoni, and the Security Director says the Security Director did the act because he's from Ogoni." I won't go into details because it's confusing. "But for the security officer of such a highly sensitive committee, compromising security would be very frightening. But I appreciate that headquarters denied it and that security took notice." You didn't have to complain too much, you did well, you're better than you were on February 25th."
However, Magnus Abe dismissed the security breach claim as childish and said his security credentials were revoked.
Abe claimed the intimidation ruined the election, claiming people were being ordered to vote for his PDP.
Accord gubernatorial candidate Dumo Lulu-Briggs gave the process high marks.
He said:
“At this point, the process is seamless. We did the same evaluation last election and it went seamlessly until 3pm. Lots of people vote, no intimidation or harassment.
"Many town cries were sent out this morning to intimidate people, but from last night until now, people have come out in droves to vote.
"No one can be denied the right to choose who will be governor. They should come and vote and whoever wins should win."
Rivers State Government (SSG) Secretary Tammy Danagogo welcomed the gubernatorial and legislative elections in the Degema Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state. Danagogo spoke at Station 4 of Unit 20 shortly after the vote, explaining that the accreditation and voting process was smooth.
He said:
“Thankfully, as with the last election, the accreditation and voting process went smoothly. Here in my unit the BVAS is working very well, but the unit they said was not working. There is one, but INEC officials went there.
“I hope all units in my station are doing well with the reports I have received, except for one unit. Of course, everyone learns from history. they learned their lesson. "So it wouldn't be very widespread to think that it's affecting what's happening right now. We all know that violence doesn't pay off. It really doesn't help anyone." No, it's not good for anyone.
"As you can see now, so far it's been going very well. If what's happening continues like this to the verification and declaration stage, I'd say kudos to INEC." All Progressive Congress (APC) candidates in Rivers Governor Tonye Cole have complained that voters are being intimidated in parts of the state.
Speaking shortly after his vote was cast, Cole said voters were told to stay home if they didn't want to vote for the People's Democratic Party (PDP).
He said:
“So far, we have received several reports of vote hoarding and intimidation, as well as reports of people being warned not to come out in writing if they do not vote for the PDP.
"So we're taking notes about these things, and we're taking notes about units reporting this, because we're going to write petitions against units that have threatened or threatened.
"In the mission area, we see elections going on peacefully, but we've also heard reports that this should not happen right after the voting process and counting. “We also received reports from Asar Tol that the polls were not started at all because the election officials could not be found. There have been many such reports.
“I think we are still ahead. We believe that intimidation should not be an integral part of the electoral process and that people should be able to vote freely and express their opinions. I would like to say that it is very important.
His Siminialaye Fubara, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Governor of Rivers, voted in his Unit 8 of District 5 of the Opobo/Nkoro municipal government.