By Daniel Abia, Port Harcourt
Voters turned out in large numbers on Saturday to participate in the Rivers South-East senatorial district bye-election, despite early morning heavy rainfall that lasted several hours.
The election is being conducted across seven local government areas—Khana, Gokana, Tai, Eleme, Andoni, Opobo and Oyigbo—to fill the vacant seat left by the death of Senator Barry Mpigi, who passed away in February.
In several polling units, including B-Dere Ward 4 in Gokana LGA, strong voter participation was recorded, with residents defying the weather to exercise their franchise.
The heavy rain, however, delayed the distribution of election materials in some areas, resulting in a slight setback in the commencement of accreditation. Despite this, accreditation and voting eventually proceeded simultaneously in most locations.
Chairman of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Senator Magnus Abe, voted at Ward 16 in Bere community, Gokana LGA, at about 10:20 a.m.
Speaking after voting, Abe described the process as peaceful and expressed optimism about the overall conduct of the election.
“The election is very peaceful. There is no problem here. The weather has slowed turnout a bit, but I think it is improving. We are very confident that this exercise will be successful across the senatorial district,” he said.
He urged residents to come out and vote, while commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what he described as a credible process.
“You cannot sit in your house or on social media and complain without participating in the electoral process,” he added.
Despite the restriction of movement imposed by the state police command from midnight of Friday, June 19 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, some commercial activities were observed in parts of the state, with shops open in certain areas.
In Tai LGA, home of the late Senator Mpigi, voters also turned out in large numbers despite the downpour. Voting reportedly commenced before 9 a.m., with about 30 persons having voted by 11 a.m. in some units.
A stakeholder in the area, Gideon Demua, praised the turnout, noting that many polling units were already occupied early for accreditation.
He, however, raised concerns over technical challenges affecting some BVAS machines in a few units, calling on INEC to address the issues promptly.
In Eleme LGA, movement along the East-West Road remained largely unaffected, with vehicles seen operating normally despite the restriction order. Markets in Agbonchia, Aleto and Alesa communities were closed, while security operatives mounted stop-and-search operations along the Trailer Park axis.
The major contenders in the bye-election include Dr. Douglas Fabeke of the Action Alliance (AA), Osarosaka Ebenezer of the APC, Sam Barikpoa of the Labour Party, and Olaka Nwogu of the PDP.
