Security personnel restrict movement in FCT

The Police supported by military personnel have restricted movement, especially of vehicles, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of measures to ensure hitch-free elections into the six Area Councils in the territory.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while the military set up barricades at entry and exit points to the territory, the police deployed at some strategic areas of the city to check movement.

However, those on essential duties, including security personnel, journalists, electoral officials and observers, were exempted from the order.

NAN Correspondents who moved round some polling stations in the city centre report that there were adequate security personnel at the various polling units.

However, unlike the Presidential and National Assembly elections that held on Feb. 23, the area council election in the territory recorded low turnout of voters, with the security personnel, therefotre, having less to do in terms of crowd control.

At about 8.30 a.m., some of the polling units visited at Garki, Wuse and AYA roundabout, Asokoro had recorded between eight and 15 accredited voters, who had cast their ballot.

Political party agents and domestic observers were on ground at the time of this report.

At polling centre ‘005’ in Garki with six polling units, where our correspondent visited, 15 voters had voted at 8.30 a.m.

While at Government Secondary School Tudun Wada, Wuse Zone 4, a handful voters were seen being accredited for voting at about 9.29 a.m.

At the AYA polling Centre ‘010’ in Asokoeo, INEC ad hoc staff were seen chatting among themselves.

A voter at the unit, Malam Shehu Idris, expressed sadness over the low turnout of voters.

“Since our return to democracy, this is the first election Nigerians are not willing to come out en masse and vote.

“There is no much enthusiasm as compared to the Feb. 23 election where most polling units recorded large turnout.”

Mrs Rose Okonkwo told NAN that voters did not come out because they were not happy with the outcome of the Feb. 23 elections.

“At the last election, there was some excitement but at the end of the day, our votes didn’t count.

“Why should people vote, while the result had already been decided,” Okonkwo alleged. (NAN)