The Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi, has expressed his dissatisfaction with reports of violence in some parts of the state during Saturday’s State Assembly and governorship election.
Voting had started about 1:03pm in Echi-Alike ward in Ikwo Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi State, where the State Governor cast his vote.
Residents turned out in large numbers to vote for candidates of their choice and the general expectation was that the early calm would be maintained.
It was later confirmed that the Peoples Democratic Party Chairman in Ishielu LGA, Emeka Nwaorie, had been killed by suspected thugs in Ezza-Egu community in Ishielu LGA.
The Governor has condemned the violent turn of events, saying killing, shooting, scaring of voters and taking away ballot boxes is not a welcome development in an electoral system.
Attacks by Hoodlums
Channels TV correspondent who was on assignment escaped attack from hoodlums that disrupted the electoral exercise with machetes, guns and dangerous weapon in Onu-Nkwuda community, Ameka ward in Ikwo LGA.
In Ishi Nkwo-Ukawu ward Polling Unit 003 and 007 in Onicha LGA, electoral materials were taken away by unknown persons, who attacked the ad hoc staff and some INEC officials.
At Ngambo-Ukawu ward in Onicha LGA, after the accreditation exercise, some unknown persons who identified themselves as party agents disrupted the voting exercise and made away with the electoral materials including the ballot papers and 2 ballot boxes.
The materials were later recovered with the efforts of some vigilant voters who ran after them while the assistant presiding officer said that voting would not continue again. He stressed that he was the only official present as the other INEC officials ran away.
During the election exercise, one Mike Ojon was killed at Noyo, Ikwo LGA by suspected thugs while another Ocho Monday was stabbed to death for confronting suspected thugs involved in illegal thumb-printing at Ohage Village Sqare, Effium ward 1 in Ohaukwu LGA and the Collation Officer in Nkalagu, Ishielu LGA was also reportedly killed.
Security operatives however, arrested some youths accused of making attempt to cause mayhem during the election exercise in Itim ward A, Amauru town hall, in Afikpo North LGA of the state.
It was peaceful as the votes were counted before the different party agents at Okuzzu-Ukawu ward, where Ebonyi State Commissioner for Finance, Barr. Timothy Odaah, cast his vote.
