ABIA LGA POLLS: Ebem Ohafia And Environs Marked With Violence(see video)

The Abia State Local government Election held on Friday at Ebem Ohafia, in Ohafia local government area of Abia state was marked with violence and irregularities.

Youths were seen moving around, in their large Numbers on motorcycle. Some were armed with machete, sticks and wood while reports of gun shots circulated.

Those who clashed, had physical combats were reportedly receiving treatment from injuries in an undisclosed hospital.

As at 1:30pm, sensitivity and non sensitive materials were still leaving the local government secretariat.

Some polling Units visited by candidreporters.com had pockets of violence related to non availability of result sheets and snatching of ballot boxes.

Isiama ward , had no result sheet as at when pressmen visited.

Mgbaga Unit at Ebem witnessed violence and snatching of ballot boxes. Around the same unit, a road safety officer with his uniform on, was caught with others thumbprinting on ballot papers, he was beaten before he scampered for safety and escaped the mob.

At Umukpai primary school, the supposed Ohanfor Ward 1 collection centre was very tensed as at 2:03pm. The election material and adhoc staff were on ground to commence the election but party Agents of the peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and that of the All Progressive Congress (APC) were at log ahead over the issue of alledge filling of uncertified voters and deliberate attempt to distrupt the election with irregularities. In the end, election didn’t hold there.

Some materials which was said to be meant for Okamu and environs was hijacked at Ndi-Ibe Ohafia buy some thugs.

However, Some polling Units visited recorded relative Peace.

The polling unit at Federal Government College, Ohafia, Unity Church of Nigeria along Asaga road and the polling unit at Ohafia Girls Secondary School was calm at the time of monitoring, But the environment was very tensed.

As at 3:45pm, security operatives and adhoc staff of the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) were seen leaving the Ohafia local government area.

In an interview with top members of the rival political parties on ground, was an evidence of the rivalry nature of the election at Ebem Ohafia.

On his part, Hon. Chief Kalu Mba Nwoke, popularly known as Etiokwe, the APC Chairmanship candidate, spoke about the election standstill at Ohanfor Ward 1, Umukpai primary school at Asaga community school supposedly the Ohanfor ward 1 coalition centre.

In his words: “The ABSIEC adhoc staff have arrived, the PDP thugs don’t want the election to hold. As we speak, materials has not been distributed to polling Units as it ought to be.

“So far, no election, no distribution of materials as it ought to be. The time now is a minute past two. The materials are yet to be brought out for us to check if they are complete or not.”

“The PDP’s knows that they are not popular, so if they allow the election to take place, they will fail.” Chief Kalu alerted.

In a swift reaction, Hon. Chikezie Ukaha the ward chairman of Ohanfor PDP, said; “we are peaceful people, we gathered to vote, we are ready to vote, we campaigned well enough to win, but what we are seeing here is not what we bargained for.

“The APC Chairmanship candidate who was a counselor, acquired so many voters card, and he is trying to use it to his favour. He has brought in so many people from other places other than those that are residing here, we want them to go.” Hon. Ukaha demanded.

The state’s electoral body headed by Prof. Agu Mkpa Agu, had assured a free, fair and credible local government election.