Female voters shun Jigawa council polls

The local Council polls in Jigawa state, northwest Nigeria, was marked by low turn-out of female voters.

NAN reported that in most of the polling units in Dutse metropolis and neighbouring local government areas, few females were seen lined up to be accredited.

In Zakirai- Gabas and Sabon-gari polling units of Kiyawa ward in Kiyawa Local Government area, for instance, no single female showed up for accreditation and voting as at 11 a.m.

NAN also reported that in Gandu and Dundubus units of Limawa and Dundubus wards of Dutse Local Goverment Area, no female came to be accredited to vote.

Alhaji Ali Manu, resident of Dundubus town, attributed this development to the tradition of the people.

“The tradition here in Dundubus, is that the males first come out to vote, after which the females would follow, or vice versa. The females would come out later,” he told NAN.

Another male voter, Alhaji Usman Aliyu, who spoke to NAN on the issue in Dutse, said that the nature of responsibilities of females, especially housewives, was also a contributory factor.

“The unimpressive turn-out of females could be as a result of their responsibilities at the home-front. They must prepare breakfast, sweep the house and prepare the kids, before coming out to vote.

“Once they are not through with those responsibilities, they would not come out to exercise their franchise,” said Aliyu.

With security agents on hand to ensure law and order, accreditation and voting commenced peacefully and on scheduled in most polling units.

But voter turnout was low.

NAN reports that the exercise, however, started 30 minutes behind schedule in polling units in Angwan Gabas, Walawa, Fada and Eid, in Kazaure town, Kazaure Local Government Area.

The situation was the same in Galama, Sarkin Bai, and Kofar Fada, in Gumel Local Government, where NAN observed that the turnout was low.

In Auyo town, headquarters of Auyo Local Government, voters had not turned up in Ayama, Kafardau, Kidi and Alama polling units when NAN visited the area.

An election official at one of the units, who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, attributed the development to the harmattan season, which had kept people indoors during morning hours.

In Kayawa Local Government, however, NAN reports that the exercise commenced on schedule with impressive turnout of voters.

Units visited in Kiyawa were Zanga, Zakire-Gaba, Sabongarin Kanti and Zakire Yamma, among others.

Business activities also continued uninterrupted as some people did not abide by the directive of the Police Command, restricting movement from 7a.m to 3p.m.

Governor Sule Lamido who voted at 11.10 a.m in Bamaina village of Birninkudu local government, his home village, enjoined voters in the state to shun violence.

He appealed to the people to live peacefully with one another and avoid anything that could cause problem amongst them.