11th November, 2023
By Jethro Ibileke
Voting commenced late in parts of Orji and Ikeduru, in Owerri North, in the ongoing governorship election in Imo states on Saturday.
This could be blamed squarely on the late arrival of materials and voters apathy on the part of the voters.
At Unit 17, along Orji Road, at about 8.35am, polling officers were yet to arrive as few electorate who turned up to vote waited to cast their votes.
The stage was finally set for the election at about 9.30am, by the polling officer who came in to commence their work.
But, as at the time of filling this report, there was no sign of security presence, as no police officer was at the polling unit
At Unit 10 at Amaoguru in Ikeduru, the polling officer showed party agents the materials that would be used for the election. There were few voters in the polling unit with some saying that they had no reason to vote as they had no trust in the system.
A resident of Orji, who spoke to journalists, but did not wish to be named, said although he was going to vote, he did believe the polls would be credible.
He noted that he and his wife had worked in ad-hoc capacity for INEC in past elections, but said it is sad that the country was still in this situation 24 years after the advent of the fourth republic.
According to him, the last presidential election that brought in Bola Tinubu showed that the country is not yet on the path of progress, adding that he was sure the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma has perfected strategy to get re-elected despite his dwindling popularity.