Low turnout mars Edo Central, Ovia by-elections

Low turnout of voters, on Saturday, characterised the Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency by-elections.
As at 1.10 p.m., many of the polling units in Edo Central, Esan West and Ovia had not too many voters.
A by-election is being held in Esan Central to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Sen. Monday Okpebholo as governor of Edo, while the Ovia by-election is to replace Dennis Idahosa, who is now the deputy governor of the state.
In Iruekpen Ward 6, Unit 3, 4 and 5 and in Ujemen Ward 5, in units 8,9 and 10 in Esan West Local Government, low voter turnout was observed.
The lawmaker representing Esan West Federal Constituency, Marcus Onobu, said the low turnout might be due to low awareness of the by-election.
Onobu, who was the former speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, was optimistic that voters would come in later and cast their votes.
“I’m sure as the day goes by, there will be large turnout of voters. Many may have gone out to attend to urgent matters but there will be a large turnout before voting ends by 2.30 p.m.,” Onobu said.
A visit to some polling units in Ovia North East Local Government showed that electoral materials arrived at a good time and voting opened at 8:30 a.m.
For instance, in units 02, 03 and 04 of Oluku Ward 6, which are domiciled in Eroseyen Primary School, Samuel Asuelimen, agent of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) acknowledged the early arrival of materials.
Mr Asuelimen said the voter apathy was observable, but believed that voters might come out later since voting would end by 2.30 p.m.
“Everything is in order for now. The materials arrived early and voting commenced on time.
“However, there is a low turnout, but I still believe people would come out since voting will end by 2.30 p.m.
Halimat Ali, polling agent of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also agreed with the position of the ADC agent that the situation was calm and orderly.
Other units visited included units 07, 30 and 31 at Owina Primary School in Oluku Ward 6, where the situation on voters’ turnout remained the same.
In Ekiadolor, residents defied the restriction of movement order by the police to engage in commercial activities.
Ekiadolor market was filled to the brim with traders transacting, despite the ongoing civic exercise.
Isaac Aganmwonyi, the APC supervisor at units 4 and 5 in Adolor Primary School, Ekiadolor Ward 4, said the apathy might be because the election was not a general election.
“The turnout might have been more if it were the usual general election.
“Another reason might be Saturday. Most people in this area go to the market and farms on Saturday. However, some of them promised to come before the close of the poll.”
Solomon Odewingie, APC supervisor a Unit 22, Ekiadolor Ward 4, said voters had been coming and leaving immediately.
“The situation is calm and cool and people have been coming to vote and leave.
“I want to assure you that we will get not less than 400 votes here at the end of the day,” he said.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Politics
Ogun By-election: PDP candidate alleges harassment by APC
He flayed the APC for allegedly unleashing political thugs against members of the opposition and causing violence, in order to rig the election.

Abuja
Rotary International filling critical gaps in governance, impacting communities: Trustee
“The initiative supported more than 200 women in need of Caesarean sections, covering their costs to ensure safe deliveries,” she said.

Abuja
Nigeria, China pledge to promote cultural diplomacy for sustainable development
The envoy also linked the festival to China’s Global Civilisation Initiative, which advocates mutual learning and respect for cultural diversity.

States
Osawaru commends INEC, voters for peaceful Edo by-elections
Mr Osawaru reiterated his belief that the APC would emerge victorious.

Lagos
LAGFERRY transported 2.5 million passengers in five years: MD
The managing director said that the administration of Mr Sanwo-Olu had proven to be committed to water transport sustainability.

States
Anambra By-Elections: Gov Soludo accuses APC of violence, assaulting commissioner
The governor alleged that the APC governorship candidate in Anambra took a truckload of police and thugs around polling units, beating up people.