By Francis Onyeukwu and Chimezie Anaso
The Saturday governorship election in Anambra started generally peacefully with impressive turnout of voters in most of areas in Awka South, Njikoka, Idemili North and Aguata Local Government Areas.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the turnout was impressive in the polling units in Nibo in Awka South, Enugwukwu and Abagana in Njikoka as well as Ogidi in Idmili North Local Government Areas.
NAN reports that there was adequate security in polling units, streets and roads in the areas.
Voting commenced in Umuaka Town Hall Ward 001 and Ward 005 both in Nibo about 9a.m as voters were being accredited with the card reader working effectively.
The exercise took off peacefully in Ogidi at 9a.m. too.
At Onua Square, Abagana, Emmanuel Akaogu told NAN that there was initial hiccup because the card reader was not identifying his finger print, adding that he later voted.
He said that security arrangement was “superb” and praised INEC and security operatives for the arrangement.
Mr Obi Ilochi, who voted at Ogidi Town Hall Ward 005, said he was happy that government was able to provide conducive environment for people to participate in the election.
“We are happy that the whole place is peaceful because it will be bad for Anambra to be the first state to record constitutional crisis as a result of not having election in our area”, he said.
It would be recalled that Police had said that it made water-tight security arrangements across the state for the poll.
There was also large turnout of voters at the Amaesi Ward of Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra at the Saturday Governorship election in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that voters came out as early as 7.30am until arrival of electoral officers by 8.35 a.m at the ward, which is the ancestral home of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), candidate, Mr Valentine Ozigbo.
Voting however, began at about 9:40 a.m at Polling Units 5, 11, 12, 13, 15 located at Social centre in Amaesi ward, Aguata LGA.
Mrs Agnes Okoli, a septuagenarian, told NAN that she got to the polling point as early as 7:30 a.m and had to wait till officials arrived.
Okoli said the she was impressed with the peaceful manner everyone conducted themselves and expressed hope that it ended that way.
She said she was anxious to vote because it was her civic duty and that it was an opportunity for Amaesi to give Anambra their son as governor because one of the major candidate was from the Community.
Nze Matthew Echeozor, said he was at the venue when the officials arrived.
Echeozor said he was satisfied with the guidelines read out by the officials and urged the voters to adhere to them.
The Polling Official, who preferred anonymity, confirmed to voters that both the sensitive and non sensitive materials including original result sheets were present.
The official said special attention would be given to the aged, persons with disability and pregnant women.
Combined team of Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel was seen ensuring there was order.
(NAN)
