By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The much-anticipated 2024 Anambra Local Government election that held today, Saturday, September 28, was peacefully held in the various communities under the Nnewi South Local Government Area, but also got impinged by a few challenges, most notable of which include voter apathy, late arrival of voting materials, and a heavy downpour that dampened participation in several communities.
These impediments jointly resulted in a low turnout in many key areas and communities under the local government.
During a visit to various parts of Nnewi South Local Government Area by this reporter, Izunna Okafor, the situation was somewhat found to be less than ideal.
At Ukpor Central School, a polling center located just a stone-throw away from the Nnewi South Local Government Secretariat, only the electoral officers, a lone party agent, and a single voter were observed, with just 7 votes so far cast as at 12:59 pm when the reporter arrived the center. The apathy was palpable, as children were seen playing football at the field, which made the center a little busy and lively. One may rightly argue that the absence of voters at such a central location at capital town of the local government area showed a general disconnection from the democratic process, as most of the registered electorate failed to show up.
A similar situation was seen at the Ebe Hall (Ukpor Ward 4), where as at 1:23 p.m., only 16 persons, out of over 600 registered voters had and cast their ballots, with the election officers patiently waiting for people to show up. While many of these centres and polling unites remained largely deserted, the Afọ Ukpor Market was bustling, with traders and customers engaging in their regular business activities, seemingly unconcerned about the ongoing election.
In Ebenator Community, both the
Community Primary School and
Community Central School centers visited recorded a slightly better turnout, though still modest in comparison to the total number of registered voters.
The willingness of voters to participate was sporadic, but it demonstrated a glimmer of engagement amidst the widespread voter apathy. Some who had voted were sited chatting and chilling out at the nearby Orienwankwor Market and some spots close to the centres.
In Ezinifite Community, the visited polling centers at Umuokpalaike Hall, and Awor Hall; and the one at the Mater Amabilis Comprehensive Secondary School, Okofia in Osumenyi Community, similarly showed a mix of political apathy and political participation, as electoral officers were also seen still patiently waiting for voters to show up. While it was similarly gathered that some voters showed up, cast their votes, and returned home, it was also observed that some others sat back to ensure their votes counted. Nonetheless, many remained absent, and refused to show up, despite announcements that were when the election materials arrived.
However, it was similary observed that in markets in these communities, such as Abanator Market in Ezinifite and Eke Osumenyi, people were buying and selling. Though, some shops were locked.
A more striking scenario was seen in Utuh community, the hometown of the Transition Committee Chairman for Nnewi South, Hon. Van George Ezeogidi, who is also the candidate for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the election. At the Orie Utuh Market, commercial activities were at their peaks, as the market was buzzing with traders during the election hours.
These were even despite the earlier order issued by the state government restricting movements on the election day. Although, it was gathered that the day was the town’s market day in in the Igbo calendar — Orie market day, which may have contributed to the surge in commercial activities at the market, as people from neighbouring communities including Nnewi usually attend it to trade veggies and other local goods. Speculations, however, abound that with this still being the case on such a grassroots election day as this, the election took a backseat to the market day in the priorities of the people.
Contrastingly, Ekwulumili community was said to have witnessed a stronger voter turnout, with reports of a more active engagement in the electoral process. It was reported that many voters from the community showed up, cast their ballots, and were said to be optimistic about their participation.
In all these locations visited, late arrival of voting materials was a recurring issue. In some centers, voting did not begin until after 10 a.m., with others experiencing delays as late as after 12 p.m. before commencing. This delay was said to caused frustration among early voters, many of whom left in anger without casting their votes after waiting for hours. Some voters were, however, said to have later returned to the polling units and cast their votes when they heard that the materials had finally arrived.
To compound these issues, a heavy downpour hit many parts of Nnewi South later in the day, with rain lasting between 45 minutes to an hour in several communities. The inclement weather served as a further deterrent to voter turnout, particularly in areas where people were already hesitant to participate. The rain seemed to wash away the last traces of enthusiasm for the election, as many who might have been willing to vote opted instead to stay indoors, especially as many grounds became wet and muddy in many places.
On the security front, no security agents were visibly present at any of the polling units visited by this reporter. However, vehicle-loads of security operatives were seen intermittently patrolling various communities, building the voters’ confidence and ensuring that there were no outbreaks of violence or unrest at any place or time in the area.
Also, a heavy joint security presence was stationed at the Nnewi South Local Government Secretariat in Ukpor, where the security operatives strictly enforced entry restrictions and denied everybody access, including the journalists.
According to them, beginning from the time they started enforcing it, the Local Government Transition Committee Chairman, Hon. Ezeogidi warned them not to allow anybody at all to cross the local government Secretariat without his permission, no matter the reason whatsoever.
All efforts by this reporter to contact the TC Chairman, Hon. Ezeogidi, for his remarks on the process and progress of the election in his local government area proved abortive, as he declined to respond, always saying “I am very busy now”, and then abruptly ending the call at each attempt to interview him.
These notwithstanding, no incidence of violence was gathered or reported in any of the areas visited, as the election and its process were evidently observed peacefully and quietly and as a brotherly contest.
More photos from the locations visited:
