Gov. Bello sues for peace amidst low turnout

Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger on Saturday sued for peace among the citizens of the state during the Local Government election.

The governor who voted at the Alkali Mustapha polling unit of Kontagora around 2:30 p.m. commended the peaceful conduct of the electorate.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kontagora elections processes could not start until around 12:30 noon due to late arrival of materials.

"I want everyone to see this election as a process that will lead to the realisation of our collective desire for change not only in Niger but the country as a whole.

"Our desire is to see that credible people come on board to implement the state government's policies and programmes aimed at turning around the critical sectors of our state economy for good," he said.

Bello urged the people to take the result of the election as the "act of God,” saying, “God gives power and takes it away from whosoever He wishes."

Alhaji Salisu Adamu, a resident of Kontagora told NAN that eligible voters had to wait for hours before the staff of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) arrived with materials.

He said that the accreditation process, which was scheduled for 8:00 a.m started at 12:30 p.m.

Similarly, the Minister of State for Solid Minerals, Alhaji Abubakar Bwari, voted at the Emir of New Bwari palace polling unit around 2:30 p.m.

Bwari urged residents to be peaceful for true development to reach every citizen.

Meanwhile, low voters’ turnout characterised most polling units in Chanchaga and Bosso council areas.

Mr Awwal Aliyu, Presiding Officer at Gbakwaita polling unit (I) in Chanchaga ward, told NAN that out of 1, 407 registered voters at the centre only 97 were accredited to vote.

Similarly, Alhaji Mohammed Mohammed, a party agent at the polling unit decried the low turnout of voters in the unit.

``Some of the electorate are afraid, following series of the clashes between APC and PDP during campaign where some lives were lost.

``You can see we are about to start voting and we have not accredited up to 100 voters in a polling unit of 1, 407 registered voters,’’ he said.

The Presiding Officer at Cocacola depot polling unit with number 011 in Tudun Wada North ward, Malam Suleiman Abdullahi, told NAN that out of 1, 156 registered voters at the polling unit only 218 were accredited to vote.

NAN reports that voting have been completed at most polling units in Minna as at 3:00 p.m. and counting were ongoing.