Voters protest alleged non-inclusion of ward unit result sheets

Enugu State Local Government election was disrupted in Oji-River and New Haven in Enugu North local government areas over protest on alleged non-inclusion of units’ result sheets.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that vehicles’ windshields were smashed in Oji River while ENSIEC generator destroyed and officials held hostage.

ENSIEC office in Oji-River came under siege and security operatives at the venue used tear-gas to disperse voters, observers, journalists and other stakeholders.

NAN reports that the protest started when some politicians insisted that the exercise would not commence until the result sheets were provided.

However, the situation was brought under control when the Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Danmallam, arrived at the area.

At New-Haven, the exercise was yet to commence at 2 p.m. at Amoli in Awgu Local Government and Achara Layout in Enugu South.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Ogbuagu Anikwe, told NAN that the materials arrived at Agwu early, but six buses loaded with some suspected thugs disrupted the distribution of the materials at the council headquarters.

Anikwe also alleged that they held ENSIEC officials to hostage till about 1 p.m. before they were dispersed by security operatives after a distress call.

“We are now distributing the materials and have engaged the services of town criers to get the electorate who had gone home to come and exercise their franchise,” Anikwe said.

Also at Achara layout, NAN reported that the materials arrived at about 2:02 p.m, but accreditation and voting did not commence till 2:36 p.m.

At Ogrute in Igboeze North, there was massive turn-out of voters while at Akwu-Achi in Oji-River, the exercise was yet to commence.