Voter apathy marred Borno Central byelection yesterday, as most of the voters decided to remain indoors in the Maiduguri metropolitan Council, when election was taking place in the eight local governments that constitute the senatorial district.
Our correspondent who went round the town reports that most of the electorate within Maiduguri metropolis remained indoors, but however, the turnout in the Internally Displaced Persons’ camps were impressive, as the ruling APC government in the state mobilised the IDPs living within the host communist to the camps to cast their votes.
An Independent National Electoral Commission official at one of the units in Zannari Ward, said the turnout was low, as at 11:30am, he only accredited 40 voters compared to over 400 during the 2015 general elections.
When asked whether the low turnout could be attributed to the bombings, he said no as the polling units were properly secured, but it was just the voter’s apathy towards the election.
Speaking shortly after casting his votes, the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Babakaka Garbai said he was impressed with the turnout of voters and security arrangement put in place by the INEC so far, and called on the electorate to conduct themselves maturely.
He said: “The election so far is impressive, as the turnout is encouraging and I have not received any complain from any of my agents. I think INEC, security agencies and the electorate should be commended”.
Also addressing newsmen during the exercise, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Hon. Kaka Bolori commended the turnout of the electorate, but accused INEC and police officers of aiding the APC, stressing that no matter how they rig, he was sure of victory in the election because of his popularity.
