By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The by-election in Okura State Constituency in the Kogi East Senatorial District over the weekend was marred by low voter turnout and fear of violence from political thugs.
Our correspondent observed that many residents in Okura Ward II went about their normal activities without showing interest in the election.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kogi, Dr. Oliver Agundu, who monitored the exercise, attributed the apathy to poor sensitisation and mobilisation of voters by politicians.
Speaking to journalists in Anyigba on Saturday, Agundu said politicians failed to enlighten their supporters, while incidents of thuggery also discouraged voters.
“Despite the early arrival of INEC officials for the exercise, some people preferred attending to personal concerns instead of participating in the poll. To be frank, the turnout for this by-election is very low and far below expectation,” Agundu stated.
He lamented that political thugs waylaid INEC officials in some areas, preventing them from reaching polling units on time.
“This is bad for us as a nation. Elections are multi-stakeholder exercises; INEC alone cannot make it work when others are compromised,” he added.
The REC, however, commended INEC staff for their resilience and security operatives for their professionalism in ensuring the process was largely peaceful.
On security, the state Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, said no arrests had been made in connection with thuggery or misconduct.
He maintained that, despite the low turnout, the election was smooth and peaceful, while warning mischief makers to stay away from polling units or face the full weight of the law.
The by-election was conducted to fill the vacancy created by the death of former Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Enema Paul, on December 14, 2024.
