The All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, chairmanship candidate for Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, Dr Eze Onyebuchi, has expressed concern over reports of missing result sheets, voter intimidation and widespread apathy in the ongoing FCT area council elections.
Onyebuchi spoke with newsmen on Saturday shortly after casting his vote at polling unit 013, Asokoro II, Abuja.
While acknowledging that the atmosphere in Asokoro remained peaceful, the candidate, however, highlighted several irregularities allegedly occurring in other parts of the council.
“Around Asokoro, everywhere is peaceful and reasonably fair but we have cases in other places like Durumi polling unit 022 where INEC officials reportedly refused to come with the original copy of the result sheet.
“When asked, they said they had forgotten it in the office. Up till this moment, they are yet to bring the result sheet.
“Every other party agent is complaining, except the ruling party agent who is silent,” Onyebuchi alleged.
He further also raised the alarm over reports from some communities near Kagini where he claimed non-indigenes were being prevented from exercising their franchise by groups claiming that the land belonged solely to indigenes.
The APGA candidate claimed that there were “massive vote-buying” and threats against voters in the Orozo area, describing the situation as a setback for democratic progress.
On the issue of voter turnout, Onyebuchi expressed deep disappointment at the low participation despite the intensive campaigns carried out by various political parties.
At Onyebuchi’s polling unit in Asokoro which has 2,816 registered voters, less than 10 people had voted at the time of his interview.
“I am surprised because we put a lot of efforts into the campaign. I have never seen any area council election in FCT that was as loud as this one.
“I expected people to troop out to vote but the units are empty and INEC officials are just sitting down.
“We cannot have a good head with rotten body parts. We must have good governance from the grassroots up to the presidency.
“It is only when we fix competent hands at the local government and state levels that the presidency becomes easy to manage.
“I am not happy because we are chasing shadows; when fire is burning in our house, we are busy chasing rats,” he said.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
