Cross River acting governor laments poor turnout of voters

Speaking after casting his ballot at the Convent Primary School polling centre in Ugaga, Yala Local Government Area (LGA), Odey said the turnout was not in tandem with the efforts made by the government to mobilise the people. The acting governor, who was the first to vote at the centre, urged the people to always […]

Speaking after casting his ballot at the Convent Primary School polling centre in Ugaga, Yala Local Government Area (LGA), Odey said the turnout was not in tandem with the efforts made by the government to mobilise the people.

The acting governor, who was the first to vote at the centre, urged the people to always come out en masse to exercise their franchise, so as to ensure the growth of democracy in the state.

“It is another opportunity for the people of Cross River to demonstrate our commitment to democracy and good governance.

“As law abiding citizens of this country, we have educated our people on the need to come out fully in good number and exercise their franchise,” he said.

He urged electoral officials to always ensure the timely delivery of election materials. Meanwhile, the governorship election has been described as a success.

Mr Peter Emeka, the INEC official in charge of Ugaga polling unit, commended the electorate for their peaceful conduct.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the voters cooperated with him in the conduct of the poll. He said accreditation started at 9 a.m. while voting started at 12.30 p.m. According to Emeka, 521 out of the 752 registered voters turned up for the accreditation.

He said only the PDP had an agent at the centre out of the nine political parties contesting the election. Also reacting, the INEC Supervisory Officer of Akpabuyo LGA, Mr Peter Akpoke, told NAN that the turnout was very disappointing.

“The turnout is poor and I cannot say why it is so,” he said. Voter accreditation was also generally low in Calabar, the state capital.

At the polling centres located at Government Secondary School, Calabar South, only 79 people were accredited out of the 656 registered voters in Ward 10 Unit 9, while in Unit 10, only 63 people were accredited out of the 647 registered voters.

In Unit 11, 681 people were registered but only 80 turned up for accreditation. The Chairman of the Calabar Municipality LGA, Mr Ita Mbora, however, expressed satisfaction with the turnout. “I am satisfied with the turnout,” he said.

Meanwhile, the PDP flag bearer in the Cross River governorship election, Mr Liyel Imoke, has commended the exercise, saying it has been peaceful, democratic and orderly.

Imoke, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shortly after casting his ballot at Eminebol Primary School, Itigidi, in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River, said: “The election was very interesting and very exciting.