Patience Ede, PBA Journalism Mentee and Blessing Amarachi Azoribe, PBA Journalism MenteeBy Patient Leonard and Blessing Amarachi Azoribe
It was a mixed bag for Wednesday’s council elections in Enugu State with low but peaceful voter turnout in many areas. Yet, it was bloody in a few places.
At least five persons were confirmed dead at the Community Primary School/Mission, Amodu, Nkanu West Local Government Area on Wednesday after a burst of violence.
One of the victims was identified as Ralph Ede. Hoodlums set cars and other personal properties ablaze.
Ad-hoc staff of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) grappled with the challenges as violent clashes occurred in some polling units.
The State Government had declared Wednesday, February 23, 2022 a work-free day, to allow eligible voters participate in the exercise. The declaration was contained in a letter signed by Special Adviser to the State Government on Information, Steve Oruruo. The State Government advised that “…During this period, markets and offices shall be closed and movement of persons and vehicles restricted except for those on essential duties. All residents legally qualified to vote are therefore encouraged to go to the polls and cast their votes,” Oruruo said.
At the Isiakpu Polling Unit, Nkpunano Ward, Nsukka , registered voters came out en masse for the chairmanship and councillorship positions respectively.
ESIEC’s presiding officer at the Isiakpu polling unit, Omeje Onyekachi, told Prime Business Africa that the exercise was peaceful, as ‘’everything is under control. We thank God for that.’’
Mr Omeje, however, noted that voter turnout was not up to expectation, despite the work-free day. ”The low turnout is reflective of the current political apathy we have in Nigeria because it is what it is in Nigeria; But in this case, it is not so. People should know that their votes count.”
Eze Nnamdi Lawrence, the presiding officer at the Amaeze Ani 006 had a different story to tell: “ Residents here really came out en masse. The crowd here was much”. He added that it was also not chaotic despite the crowd.’’
Coordinating head for Nkpunano Ward, who is also the treasurer of Udenu Local Government Council, Mr. Asogwa Emmanuel spoke on the ward, saying, “This is the most peaceful election I have witnessed so far in the 15 poll units. The various communities believe they know the capacity of the candidates they are voting for, so they are happy with their choices.”
High Chief Engr Ogugua Henry , president general of the Umakashi Town Union thanked ENSIEC for providing security to ensure everything was in order. ‘’Here, alone, ENSIEC dispatched three mobile police officers to handle the situation in case of any chaos.
Commenting on the turnout from young and older voters ones, he said there was impressive and massive turnout of youths in Egu Echara unit, with the old ones not too far behind.
Prime Business Africa observed that the youths largely functioned as poll clerks, assistant Poll clerk, Presiding officers and returning officers in the election.
One of the voters in Isiakpu was however disappointed that there was “no struggling for something” by which he meant that politicians did not share money this time around.
Sunday Orji, an eye witness,said: “It is still not certain why things went this way, three people dead, two are indigenes. It’s unfortunate that Ralph Ede and two others had to die in such manner, and for those who lost their cars, it was not a good experience but we thank God for their lives.”
Hon. Chukwuma Ogbodo, another eye witness confirmed Sunday Orji’s account of the story but noted that he could not tell exactly what caused the outbreak of violence.
It is expected that commercial activities will resume by 4pm today (Wednesday) and results of the elections published subsequently.
Other reports said that about five people were killed in the bloody shootout by some unknown gun men suspected to be political thugs in Amodu, Agbani and Akpugo is the same Nkanu West LGA on Wednesday. The five who died included the staff and hoodlums altogether.
The thugs began their mayhem at Obeagu in Enugu South LGA. They shot sporadically into the air and dispersed voters in the unit.
Next was Amodu in Nkanu West local government area. A Nigerian Civil Security and Defence Corps (NSDC) and an adhoc staff of ENSIEC on duty were murdered.
A car belonging to one Mr Emma Ogbu, a returning officer in the ward was reportedly set ablaze. Other staff were subjected to brutality as many of them sustained injuries.
The hoodlums later moved to Agbani, the council headquarters of the local government where they met their first resistance from security officers on ground.
They scampered and left their Toyota Sienna Van to Akpugo to cause another stir.
The hooded gunmen men attacked the residence of Hon. Nnoli Nnaji who is representing the Nkanu East/West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. His three cars and a section of his house were burnt. The glass designs of his building was battered.
The PDP chairmanship candidate of the council, Hon. Uchenna Nnaji who witnessed the exchange of gunfire in the premises tipped off security operatives who went in pursuit of the gunmen.
The team led by Captain Kayode Omoniyi and another team of army personnel led by Lieutenant Adeshina reportedly saved the day as they arrived at the lawmaker’s residence in Akpugo while the attackers were shooting recklessly in their bid to set the house ablaze.
The gunmen were, however, forced to flee by the army patrols joined by policemen on election duty. Many items were recovered from them such as phones, POS machines and live ammunitions even as no fewer than three of the attackers were killed after their Hyundai Vehicle with which they operated was demobilised.
Patience Ede, PBA Journalism Mentee
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