By John Ikani
In a disheartening replay of electoral malpractices, yesterday witnessed a distressing blend of massive vote buying, apathetic voters, disenfranchisement, and blatant rigging as citizens in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states queued up to determine their next governors.
This unfortunate turn of events drew condemnation from election monitoring groups, some of which advocated for the cancellation or extension of polls in the affected regions.
Simultaneously, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) revealed that its operatives apprehended 14 suspected vote buyers in Bayelsa and Imo states. The arrests followed intelligence-driven operations conducted in the days leading up to the elections, resulting in the recovery of a total of N11,040,000 from these suspects.
Imo State, despite a significant presence of security personnel from the Army, Police, DSS, and Civil Defence, experienced a notable exodus of eligible voters from polling units. This created an opening for unscrupulous politicians and their supporters to engage in multiple ballot paper thumb printing in favor of their preferred candidates.
Instances of irregularities, such as the diversion of ballot papers to the residence of a serving lawmaker in Ikeduru, highlighted the skewed nature of the electoral process. Journalists attempting to investigate were denied access by stern-looking security officials, threatening dire consequences.
Moreover, various political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Labour Party (LP), were implicated in vote buying and ballot box snatching across multiple polling units. The competition among party agents to outbid each other for votes ranged from N3,000 to N10,000.
In Owerri, chaos erupted at the All Anglican Cathedral Church premises in Egbu, where armed individuals attacked and snatched over N1.5 million intended for voters. The ensuing pandemonium led to the evacuation of voters, party agents, and observers from the polling centers.
The backdrop of threats from factions of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) further contributed to voter apathy, with some residents opting to stay away from the election. The conflicting directives from different factions added tension, prompting a substantial deployment of security forces to maintain order.
In Bayelsa State, the election was generally peaceful, though skirmishes occurred in Okutuku, where thugs snatched ballot boxes at Ward 5, Unit 9. However, security agents, particularly the Police, swiftly intervened and recovered the boxes, allowing voting to resume.
The State Governor Douye Diri condemned actions preventing PDP members from voting in Bassambiri community, Nembe Local Council, promising to take the matter up with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He expressed satisfaction with the accreditation and voting process, particularly commending the effectiveness of the BIVAS system.
In Kogi State, violence erupted at the Agala-Ogane Polling Unit in Anyigba, leading to the reported death of Umoru Iduh, an alleged APC thug. The incident occurred when Iduh forcefully destroyed BVAS, attempting to halt the voting process.
The State Governor Yahaya Bello expressed optimism about his party’s success, urging peaceful conduct among voters. PDP candidate Senator Dino Melaye, confident in victory, dispelled rumours of withdrawal and called on Kogi State electorate to resist any form of intimidation by the APC.
