Amaechi Okonkwo
There were reports that some of the three local government areas in the Rivers state did not hold gubernatorial elections and state assembly elections.
The local government areas are the Asari-Toru, Gokana and Khana local government areas, which are strongholds of prominent candidates in the gubernatorial election.
Asari-Toru is a local government area along the Ijaw River that has at least four gubernatorial candidates, Tonye Cole of the APC; Dumo Lulu-Briggs of the Accord; Sobomabo Jackrich of the National Rescue Movement and Dr Dawari George of the Action Alliance.
As of 1pm, election material had still not reached the local government area, while INEC electoral officer EO was still not present anywhere in the area.
A source in the area said INEC therefore canceled the live vote and returned to Port Harcourt. She said no one could explain to people why there were no election materials or officials.
The same was reported in the Gokana and Khana local government areas, which form part of the four local government areas in Ogoni, the ethnic and political base of Social Democratic Party candidate for SDP governor, Magnus Abe.
An inside source at INEC told our reporter that the reason was violence in the area complaining about the trouble the council was having with politicians and supporters in Rivers state.
Efforts to secure the post of election referee proved unsuccessful as Mark Usulo, VEP, director of voter education and outreach at Rivers INEC, was able to speak on the matter but was unable to answer his phone when contacted.
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