Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
There have been bitter complaints across Abia State over late arrival of voting materials in most of the polling units.
As at 1:10 pm when this report was filled, neither the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, nor the voting materials had been sighted.
Lamenting the ugly development, former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, said a large chunk of the people who had trooped out enthusiastically to vote might be disenfranchised.
Wabara who spoke from his polling unit at Ohambele, Ukwa East Local Government Area, called on INEC to rise to the challenge.
“I’m shocked that till now, there is no INEC official here. The people are getting tired. INEC should not disappoint us.”
Similarly, former Leader, ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, decried the non-availability of both INEC officials and materials in the entire Arochukwu LGA.
He said he had been waiting patiently at his polling unit with other voters who had been on the queue but unfortunately INEC officials had not showed up.
Ohuabunwa who is the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP senatorial candidate for Abia North said he got similar reports that voting materials had not come to Abia North.
He urged INEC to ensure the people were not their right to choose their leader.
“INEC should make sure they address whatever challenge that is causing the delay in the commencement of polls. Nobody in Abia North should be disenfranchised.”
Similarly, former Minister for Solid Minerals and Steel Development Dr Uche Ogah, said INEC officials and materials were yet to be sighted at his Onuaku Uturu polling unit.
Ogah appealed to INEC to quickly rise to the occasion.
Speaking with our Correspondent, Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in the state, Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, expressed disappointment over the late commencement of polls in Aba.
Ehiemere told our Correspondent that as at 9:50 am , INEC officials had not been sighted in his Unit 9 Igwebuike Ward 7 Aba South LGA.
He also said that the story was the same according to information available to him at Obingwa Ward 2 and Abayi, all in Aba.
Ehiemere regretted that huge turn out of voters was reciprocated with lateness by INEC.
Speaking with our Correspondent also, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Charles Ogbonnaya, said he was not happy that election materials had not arrived his Unit 7 Urban Ward 1, Umuahia.
He said that voters trooped out en mass waiting for the arrival of INEC officials but they were yet to arrive as as 9 :44.
Chief Ogbonnaya said he was tempted to call for the postponement of the poll in Umuahia till Sunday following late arrival of INEC officials and materials.
Speaking also with our Correspondent, pioneer Director General, National Directorate of Employment, NDE, Chief Chuku Wachuku, said no INEC official had been sighted at his Mbawsi Isiala Ngwa North polling unit.
He also alleged that some parties had been sharing dollars to influence buyers.
“We haven’t seen INEC officials and materials. The ruling parties have been busy sharing dollars. We cannot match their financial muscle but we tell our people not to sell their conscience.”
Meanwhile, voting commenced around 12:05 pm at Amuzukwu Girls Secondary School after a long waiting for the arrival of INEC officials and materials.
