By G9ija
The electorate in Rivers State seem less interested in the gubernatorial and House of Assembly Elections than the previously held presidential and National Assembly Elections.
Reports from several polling units in different local governments, including the capital city, Port Harcourt, on Saturday, show low voter-turnout.
For example, as at 9:40am, voter-accreditation had not commenced in some polling units in Woji, Elekahia and Rumuomasi, in contrast to what was witnessed during the presidential elections.
Similarly, the number of people seen at the polling units in the area was fewer compared to that of the presidential and National Assembly election.
Recall that Rivers State has over 3.5 million registered voters.
As against trooping out to cast their votes, some people, particularly male and youth were noticed indulging themselves in football games along empty streets.
So, fare there is peace in the state, particularly, in Port Harcourt and its environs, which is marked by the presence of policemen, soldiers and other security operatives.
In Governor Nyesom Wike’s Ward 9, Unit 7A, voting has commenced but the governor had yet to arrive to exercise his franchise.
Secretary, Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, has cast his vote in Ward 4, Unit 10 Jack-White Compound in Degema, while the governorship candidate of the Accord Party,
Chief Lulu-Briggs, cast his vote in Unit 1, Ward 4 also in Degema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.
Some pundits attributed the low turnout of voters to the political tension in the state, which attracted the recent show of force by the military and the police on Friday.
Others finger widely reported issues of malpractice in some parts of the state during the last presidential and National Assembly elections of March 25.