By Godwin Ajom, Sylvia Akpan, and Mary Bassey
The long-awaited November 2, 2024, local government elections in Cross River State took place and have now reached the collation stage with Governor Bassey Otu, Deputy Governor Peter Odey, Speaker of the State House of Assembly Elvert Ayambem, and other officials cast their ballots, joining residents across the state in exercising their voting rights.
Governor Otu, voting alongside his wife at the Adiabo-Ukotikang polling unit in Government Primary School Adiabo Efut, expressed optimism about the All Progressives Congress (APC) securing victory. “Our ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is confident of winning the majority of seats in the 18 local government areas,” he said, attributing the party’s assurance to its commitment to good governance and its popularity among the people.
The elections were monitored by both local and international observers who commended the peaceful atmosphere at polling units. Security forces were deployed across the state to ensure the safety of voters and election personnel.
At Idum-Mbube in Ogoja LGA, Deputy Governor Peter Odey joined his community to vote at his polling unit. Speaking afterward, Odey stated that election materials had been distributed to most polling units across the state. He expressed confidence in an APC win statewide and praised the smooth, violence-free conduct of the election.
Similarly, State House of Assembly Speaker Elvert Ayambem cast his vote at his polling unit at Bus Stop 1, Nde 3 Corner, in Ikom Local Government Area, expressing satisfaction with the overall voting process.
Reports from observers indicated that election materials were distributed to wards, accompanied by security personnel and party representatives, about 9:AM. In Ikom Urban, materials arrived at the ward collation center, PCN Primary School, at 9:35AM and were then distributed to polling units across the area.
In Olulumo ward, home to the APC’s chairmanship candidate, Mercy Nsor, voting materials arrived at 10:25AM and voting began about 11:AM. Nsor, who cast her vote at polling unit 004, Effi (Roundabout), expressed satisfaction with what she described as a smooth process.
In Ofutop Ward-1, the home ward of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidate Chris Ayakor, voting proceeded without issues, with large voter turnout.
Akparabong Ward, although it showed low voter turnout, also reported a fair, peaceful process. Cross River State Commissioner for Power Prince Eka Williams, voting at Nkabani Mkpanjen polling unit in Akparabong, commended CROSIEC for organizing what he described as the “best local government elections.”
However, several polling units in the Calabar Municipal Local Government Area experienced delays and shortages of election materials, leaving voters, security agents, and party officials waiting.
Party agents alleged possible foul play, questioning the process and distribution of materials.
Some polling units in Calabar Municipal, such as Ward 3, Unit 21 Hope of Glory, and Unit 019, Ward 4, experienced material shortages by 9:19AM and 10:AM, respectively. At Unit 006 in Ediba Primary School, voting began, but by 10:15 AM only two votes had been cast out of 750 registered voters. By 10:51AM Unit 0-21 had not received materials.
APC agent Offiong Etta said, “Materials are on the way; we’ve called them. You know there are many units still awaiting supplies.”
Security agents and officials, who wished to remain anonymous, voiced concerns over the slow pace and raised fears of potential manipulation. At Unit 008, Ward 4, and other units in Calabar Municipal, voting had yet to begin by 10:15AM,
Voters like Mr. Ofafu Peter expressed frustration, saying, “I have been disenfranchised. I came to vote at 7AM but I’m going home now, as no materials have arrived.”
In Ward 4’s Unit 024, voters like Bassey Effiong and Mbang Edem Orok were still waiting for materials close to noon. Voting proceeded smoothly, however, in Ward 2, Units 1 and 3 in Calabar-South.
Nine opposition parties participated in the election but did not field candidates across all of the 196 local council wards in the state’s 18 local government areas.
The Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) is expected to announce results within 48 hours. The last local government elections in the state were held in 2020.
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