Residents of Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra have refused to turn out for the 2024 Local Government Elections organised by the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who monitored the election on Saturday observed that residents were seen within their neighbourhood, but failed to proceed to voting points.
NAN reports that the local government election in Anambra was last held 11 years ago.
NAN also observed that commercial drivers were seen going about their daily business, thereby, disregarding the state order on restriction of movement.
Speaking to NAN in separate interviews, some residents lamented the credibility of the electoral umpires, having failed to meet their demands in previous elections.
Mrs Chinyere Olisa explained that she was left frustrated when she was told that her name was not among the accredited voters during the 2023 presidential election.
According to her, I have to leave my business and travel down home to vote during the last presidential election.
“I was left frustrated when they checked and told me that they could not find my name.
“I wasted my time and money during that election, you want me to do the same again this time, no way,” she said.
Another resident, a food vendor, Mrs Gloria Effiong, narrated that there was not much campaign previously before the election.
“Many were not even aware that the election would be taking place today, there was no house-to-house campaign, as they used to do in previous outings.
“Nobody came to me for the campaign, and I am sure the same applies to many others.
“As you can see, I am here selling food and making money for myself and my family, if they win an election today, I won’t be remembered again,” she explained.
A tricyclist, who plied the popular Old Road to Nkpor junction, Samuel Chidi, said that he had carrying out his business as early as 6:30 a.m. and had no hope of going to cast his vote.
Chidi said that the people’s votes no longer counted as the electoral umpires had pencilled down those they would announce as the winners at the end of the exercise.
