Author: Editor

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The streets were virtually deserted Saturday in Abia State as voters thronged out en masse to their various polling units to cast their ballot in the presidential and national assembly elections. A number of the polling booths in Umuahia metropolis visited by Ikengaonline revealed a massive turnout of voters. The enthusiastic voters had started gathering at their various polling units as early as 7:00 am ahead of the official opening scheduled for 8:30 am by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Despite late arrival of voting materials in most parts of the state, there was unprecedented large turn on…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia After casting his ballot Saturday in his polling unit, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, wittingly displayed the ballot paper to show he voted for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi. Although a member of the Gov Nyesom Wike-led G-5 Governors of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Ortom has never hidden his strong support for Obi. The Benue State Governor, had few days to the election, declared that he did not bother if his support for Obi would cost him his own senatorial ambition. Unlike other members of the G-5 Governors, only Ortom…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, could not be recognised by the Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS machine. Wike who arrived  his Polling Unit 7A of Ward 9, Rumuepirikom, Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers State in the company of his wife, Justice Suzette Wike, to exercise their civil responsibility could not be recognised by the BIVAS machine. “I’m highly disappointed,” Wike explained as he left the venue although he was to check again. Continuing, Wike said: “We are highly disappointed. INEC told us they were ready for the election and that BIVAS are working. “You can see the crowd here I…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Labour Party Enugu State says it has observed with dismay the abysmal nature of work done by INEC Enugu State today being 25th day of February 2023 over late arrival of materials in various parts of the state. Barrister Casmir Agbo, Chairman of the Party, said this in a release issued in Enugu on the ongoing election. Agbo also accused INEC of non-inclusion of result sheets with other materials distributed across the 17 local government areas of the state. He said tha party would not accept anything short of credible election. He said: “We have noticed…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki Governor David Umahi had voted at his Umunwofo, Umunaga ward 10, polling unit 013, Ụbụrụ, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The Governor arrived at the polling unit at about 12:13pm and proceeded to the polling booth to cast his vote after being accredited by INEC officials using the BVAs machine. His wife, Rachel and first son, Osbourne, who also came with him also voted. Speaking to Journalists after voting, Governor Umahi expressed satisfaction at the process so far. He commended INEC for doing a very good job and expressed confidence that the election will be free…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The governorship flag bearer of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Abia State, Professor Gregory Ibe, has called for the extension of voting time in Abia North following growing complaints  of late arrival of voting materials in the district. Professor Ibe who decried the situation, said it could lead to mass disenfranchisement if no steps were taken to remedy the situation. There have been complaints  from many parts of Abia State including Abia North, that both  INEC officials and materials were not in sight. According to reports and complaints from voters in parts of the state, voting was yet to…

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…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu Despite the late arrival of Election materials in most areas of Enugu North Senatorial zone in Enugu State, election is currently going on peacefully and smoothly across the district. Ikengaonline reports that materials have yet to arrive at Eha-Ndiagu ward in Nsukka LGA hence voting yet to commence in all the polling units in the ward. Also, in parts of Udenu, the same scenario is being observed. Though materials have arrived the RAC center at Government Secondary School Ogbodu-Aba, they are still being allocated to polling units hence voting yet to commence. At Amaechenu polling booth under Eha-Ndiagu…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka The late arrival of election materials and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have resulted in slow start of Saturday’s presidential election in Anambra State. Saturday, 25 February 2023 is the much awaited day for Nigerians to decide their next president and National Assembly representatives, but despite all the INEC preparations, assurances and promises, the scheduled poll did not start when it was supposed and expected to, keeping voters stranded, worried and frustrated at various voting centers. As at 8:30am when Ikengaonline correspondent in Anambra State visited some of the supposed voting centres in Awka,…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Voters in Abia State have complained bitterly over the late commencement of polls in parts of Abia State. As at 9:20 am when this report was being filed, INEC officials were yet to be sighted at the polling units at Amuzukwu Girls Secondary School Umuahia, the Abia State capital. Enthusiastic voters at the polling units at the centre were embittered and disappointed over the absence of INEC officials at the centre. Some of the voters told our Correspondent that they were at the polling unit as early as 7:00 am but could not be attended to. One…