Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission’s (AKISIEC) office has been reportedly burnt down by suspected thugs believed to be hired by the opposition party for Saturday local government election in the state.
The Nigerian Observer gathered that the electoral umpire’s building located at OkoIta, the headquarters of Ibiono Ibom Council, was set ablaze in the early hours of Saturday when election materials were supposed to be distributed to all the wards in council area for voting exercise.
Reports have it that security operatives were positioned to safeguard the structure after some parts were consumed by the inferno.
Meanwhile, voters’ apathy and late arrival of election materials characterized the ongoing local government election in some local government areas, while others had concluded voting, even before noon.
In Uyo, Itu and Ibiono Ibom local government areas, few voters were found waiting in vain for the arrival of materials from Akwa Ibom state Independent National Electoral Commission (AKISIEC).
At Unit 2, Ward 11 in Itu Local Government Area both adhoc staff from the state electoral commission and election materials were not found, while few voters at the centre were still waiting.
One of the voters in Unit 001, Ward 14, Uyo Local Government Area and PDP Unit coordinator, Mrs. Rita Archibong, said they were waiting for election materials to arrive.
“We have been here since morning as announced but no materials, not even adhoc staff, are here for accreditation of voters, but we are hopeful that PDP will win this election any moment materials arrive here”, she said.
However, the state chairman of AKISIEC, Dr Aniedi Ikoiwak, had assured the people that the election will be concluded peacefully as sensitive election materials have been dispatched to all the local government areas in the state.
“Sensitive materials have been sent to all the local government areas. We are expecting the election to run smoothly”, he said.
In Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, election was concluded by 2pm as all wards Returning Officers returned their result sheets to AKISIEC office along Ikpetim Road, Ikot A ASI urban.
Speaking with journalists at the local government collation centre in Ikot Abasi, the member representing Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/ Eastern Obolo Federal Constituency Hon. Uduak Odudoh described the election as peaceful.
Odudoh said he was hopeful that PDP will win all the councillors and chairmanship seats in the 368 wards and 31 council areas in the state.
Earlier, former chairman of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area and pioneer majority leader of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Uwem Ekanem, attributed the earlier conclusion of the election to intensive campaigning and no strong opposition to the PDP in the area.