Voter apathy mars Adamawa LG poll, gov absent

The Adamawa State Local Government election recorded high voter apathy, as many polling units were without election officials and voters.

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri was not in the state when the election was conducted on Saturday.

Preliminary results showed that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was leading in 18 of the 21 local government areas in the state.

Speaking to PUNCH Online on the local government poll, the state Commissioner for Information, Leader Leneke, blamed the ruling All Progressives Congress for not campaigning as vigorously as the PDP.

“The PDP governorship candidate and the chairmanship candidates were going out every day for campaigns, but the ruling APC was not doing the same. So, if the PDP wins the election today, it is due to its hard work.

“There is voter apathy in today’s election because people in rural areas believe that local government elections are meant for the ruling party in government, so they see no reason to come out and vote. But maybe the results of this election may give them a different impression about local government elections if the PDP finally defeats the ruling party,” he said.

“The rain, which started after 1pm, has also affected turn out. We are sure people will still come out after the rain,” he added.

On the governor’s absence during the election, he said Fintiri was attending an important event outside the state.

When our correspondent visited Girei I Ward at about 11 a.m., there were no election officials, while voters were also absent in seven polling units.

In Song Local Government Area, election officials were seen in only three polling units within the township, but there were no voters.

Speaking on the election, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for Demsa Local Government Area, Mr Dennis Kakaba, told our correspondent that out of the 172 polling units in the council, elections took place in only eight.

“There is no local government election in Adamawa State. They wrote the results last week and are pretending that an election has taken place. It is a shame for democracy,” he said.

The APC Publicity Secretary, Dogo Victor, expressed confidence that his party would emerge victorious when the final results are released by the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission.