Despite the Police deployment of 2,000 operatives, the by-election for Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom State was marred by late arrival of materials and violence on Saturday, with some persons feared dead, while others sustained varying degrees of injury.
The exercise was also characterised by the diversion of ballot materials, leading to the arrest of some hoodlums and three top Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains, Peoplesmind gathered on Saturday.
Amongst those reportedly arrested by the Special Inspector General of Police (IGP) Squad included the Transition Committee Chairman for Ini Local Government Area, Hon. Inibehe Umah; the House of Assembly member for Ini State Constituency, Hon. Lawrence Udoide, and a former Assembly member for Ini State Constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong, alleged to be working with thugs sponsored by the PDP candidate in the election, Dr. Glory Edet, to divert polling materials to unknown destination for thumbprinting.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Odiko MacDon, could not ascertain whether the apprehended suspects have been taken to the state headquarters at Ikot Akpanabia, near Uyo the state capital, but promised to give update on the developmentl
However, accreditation of voters started very late at about 10:00am in some of the polling units visited by our Correspondent around the Itak area of Ikono LGA, where the incumbent House of Representatives member, Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), earlier declared winner with a wide margin in the first contest, holds sway.
Across the over 17 polling units, a large number of voters turned out, especially at Unit 2 (Holy Child Primary School), and Unit 14, Ward 11, amongst others.
Speaking with journalists, the presiding officer for unit 2, Mrs Mildness David, attributed the late arrival of materials and accreditation to lack of vehicles to convey them to the Ward Registration Area at the Holy Child Primary School, for onward distribution to the earmarked polling units.
Peoplesmind
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Despite the Police deployment of 2,000 operatives ,Violence mars Akwa Ibom By-election As IGP Squad arrests Key PDP Officials
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