Elections of the 31 Chairmanship and 368 Councillorship candidates have been held in various electoral wards and units in Akwa Ibom State amid poor turn-out and apathy by voters.
Though 12 political parties were cleared by AKISIEC to vie for the positions, two political parties – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) – are dominant ones with party men and supporters on ground.
Though voting started late in most wards and units in the state, PDP has strong showing than any other party in terms of its party agents and mobilisers at various voting centres.
However, our reporter gathered that three persons lost their lives during the local government elections.
Two PDP stalwarts from Ukpom Edem Inyang Village in Oruk Anam Local Government Area died following a clash with an incoming vehicle that rammed into their motor cycle and turned them into smithereens.
A one-time Secretary of Oruk Anam Local Government Council, one Emmanuel Johnson popularly known as Bob died in a car accident on Saturday, Straightnews gathered.
A close source told Straightnews that the said Bob escorted election materials for distribution to his ward when the car somersaulted leading to his death.
It was reported too that Iniobong Udoukpong, a PDP Ward Chairman, Ekparakwa Ward 7 who rode the motor cycle also died in the clash.
It is alleged that one person died in Ikpe Ward 1 in Ini Local Government Area last night following a clash between two rival political parties in the area.
The name of the victim was not known as at the time of this publication.
Straightnews learnt too from Ward 7, Units 3 and 10, the election was held with impressive turn-out of voters.
According to the former Chairman of Ini Local Government Area, Rt. Hon. Israel Idaisin, people came out in their numbers and voted for candidates of their choice.
Contrary to disruption of local government elections in Ika Local Government Area by suspected thugs on Saturday, the former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Akwa Ibom, Uwem Nwoko has debunked the rumour, saying the elections are ongoing in various wards and units in the area.
Nwoko who spoke with Straightnews from Ward 4 said there were skirmishes by suspected assailants of All Progressives Congress in the area last night and this morning.
He thanked officers of the Nigeria Police Force for quelling what could have resulted in violence and disruption of the election.
Nwoko whose brother, Utibe is the Chairmanship candidate for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ika, said the area is calm and quiet and that voting was ongoing.
However, election is yet to take place in Ito Ward 3 following non-arrival of election materials in the area as at the time filing this report.
The Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo hails from this ward, though one of his kinsmen who spoke to Straightnews on condition of anonymity said the area was calm.
From Government Primary School, Ediene, Abak Urban in Abak Local Government Area, Hon. Clement Jimbo representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, told XL FM reporter that voting was ongoing as the materials and officials arrived at the Voting centre at 10 a.m.
Reports from Ibiono Ibom showed that Akwa Ibom Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) office at Oko Ita, headquarters of the area had been razed by unknown hoodlums.
Though an eye witness said this could be avoided if there was early security presence in the office, he admitted that police and other sister security agents mobilised to the office after the unfortunate incident.
Our reporter who monitored Units 24 and 25 in Anua, Uyo Local Government Area said there was low turn-out of voters.
He said the AKISIEC officials arrived at few minutes past 10 a.m. and commenced accreditation of voters, before the voting started.
From Ward 4, Unit 14 in Uyo Local Government Area, our reporter learnt that voting did not take place.
‘’Some boys were seen playing football in the field where election was to take place,’’ he narrated.
From Ward 7, Unit 7 in Ukanafun Local Government Area, Hon. Amos Udom said the turn-out was impressive.
When Straightnews made a telephone call to Akwa Ibom Police Relations Officer, ASP Timfon John on Saturday, she said she was not aware of the deaths, but promised to call the reporter for confirmation.
