Borno: Voter’s apathy hits governorship, state assembly elections

The governorship and state house of assembly elections in Maiduguri, Borno state commenced with a glaring low turnout of voters in sharp contrast to the presidential and national assembly elections two weeks ago.

A cross section of voters, who spoke to Daily Trust at some of the polling units at Maisandari, Bama Road, Gwange, Bolori and Shehuri attributed the voter’s apathy to what they described as “expected” factors.

“Majority of voters are excited on the elections because of Buhari; we wanted Buhari to win against Atiku,” Abdullahi Musa said at Gwange, stressing, “majority of us seem concerned with the president.”

Bukar Hassan at a polling unit at Maisandari ward said: “people are less excited with the governorship than with the presidential because in Borno state, the governorship seems decided already,” querying rhetorically, “Who do you think can beat Zulum? (APC candidate)”

Sabo Isa, an IDP at Mogolis camp queried: “What do you expect when less than a day virtually all the big men in PDP decamped to APC? So, all those who would have voted for PDP candidates stayed away because they virtually have no candidate to vote for.”

Daily Trust observed scanty population of voters in most PUs around the metropolis.