Heavy Security As Deltans Elect Governor

Attahiru-Jega,-INEC-Boss

Attahiru Jega, INEC boss

Attahiru Jega, INEC boss

There was heavy security presence today throughout Delta State, South South Nigeria, as the governorship election re-run got under way. There was massive  presence of military and police personnel on the streets to prevent breakdown of law and order.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Charles Muka confirmed to journalists that 22,600 policemen, apart from military men that were also on hand,  were deployed during the election.

Movement of people and vehicles was restricted between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. when voting was expected to end.

The exercise was, however, peaceful with thousands of voters turning out as early as 9 a.m. for accreditation.

P.M.NEWS visited polling units in Asaba, Efurun, Agbor and Sapele where voters filed out peacefully for accreditation. The former governor and candidate of  the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan with his wife, Roli were accredited in his home town, Abigborodo, a riverine area in Warri North  Local Government Area.

At polling unit 1 inside Umuegbe Primary School, Uduaghan told journalists that he was optimistic of victory in the election re-run.

Uduaghan commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for a good job, moreso that in the area where the former governor’s polling unit was  located is a riverine area where speed boats were used to convey electoral materials.

Some youths who spoke with P.M.NEWS expressed solidarity with Uduaghan, pointing out that though he made some mistakes while in office, they would like to  give him a second chance.

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Dr. Gabriel Ada had earlier informed journalists of INEC’s preparations for a peaceful poll.

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Prof. Attahiru Jega, the National Chairman of INEC also arrived Delta yesterday to oversee the conduct of the election.

Jega told journalists that the Delta re-run is a test case for his commission in the 2011 elections.

Accreditation was also peaceful and orderly at Ibuzo Ward in Oshimili North Local Government Area where  the polling venue is Onu Boys Primary School.

Similarly, in Aniocha South LGA, Oguashi-Uku, voters came out en masse for accreditation. However, a fuel station was dispensing fuel whereas all markets  were closed.

No serious incident was recorded in the two council areas. But in Ward 3 of Aniocha LGA at Oguashi-Uku, the running mate of one of the three major contenders  in the rerun, Chief Caroline Enucha, was not allowed accreditation because her name was not found in the register, which means she cannot vote.

There are 3,625 polling units in all the 24 local government areas of Delta State, according to figures given to journalists by INEC.

Fourteen candidates are eyeing the Asaba Government House. Three of them are considered serious contenders. They are the former governor and PDP candidate,  Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Mr. Great Ovedje Ogboru of the Democratic Party of Nigeria, DPN and Barrister Ovie Omo-Agege, the standard bearer of the Republican  Party of Nigeria, RPN.

Voting which was scheduled for 12 noon was about to commence at the time of filing this report.

— Tokunbo Olajide & Yomi Obaditan/Asaba

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