There are indications that there will be a structural political apathy in the today’s Federal and State Assembly rerun elections in Rivers State.
This is hinged on the incessant violence and killings that have totally ruptured the peace enjoyed in the state prior to the 2015 general elections.
The killings in the state had worsened after the Appeal Court annulled the election of the legislative seats that would be recontested, Today.
The killings which have not been distanced from being political were allegedly instigated by some political gladiators in the state who want power by hook or by crook.
Less that 24 hours to the scheduled elections, anxiety enveloped the state, leading to some residents of the state travelling out to the neighbouring states.
Some junctions in the state, Friday, witnessed heavy gridlock as people were forcing themselves out of Port Harcourt in droves.
The palpable fear deepened based on a court Interim Injunction secured by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from a State High Court, Wednesday, which barred the Nigerian Army from participating in the rerun elections. In a Suit file, PHC/601/2016, Justice G O Omereji, stated,
“That an Order of Interim Injunction be and is hereby made restraining the 1st (Hon. Chibuike Amaechi) 5th ( INEC) and 6th ( REC) respondents from the use and deployment of the 2nd (Chief of Defence Staff) 3rd (Chief of Army Staff) and 4th (Brig-Gen. Steve Olabanji) respondents whether by themselves, their agents, servants, operatives or privies to conduct, monitor and supervise the state and National Assembly rerun.”
This knowledge that the military may not be part of the elections today worsened the situation of voters.
Speaking with some of the electorates, it was gathered that several people have vowed not to take part in elections today because of the fear that armed men may invaded some polling units to unleash mayhem.
Voters from the LGAs, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Gokana, Khana, Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru, Ikwerre, Abua/Odua and Emohua, that were recently affected by killings or military invasions may be heavily hit.
Speaking to Vanguard a resident of Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, Mr. Osere Rafter said, “I don’t want to vote in the election. We will not participate in the elect I on because of the insecurity in ONELGA. We want to be apolitical because we don’t want to die”
“My wife was supposed to work as an SPO in the election but I asked her to turn it down. There is nothing special about it.
“What heightened the fear in the area before the people took the decision that they will not vote was the murder of a ward 4 APC chairman in ONELGA, Franklin Obi. He was beheaded and his wife and son were also killed.
“We know Obi very well as a gentle man who does not have problem with anybody. I they will kill him then they may just come to any polling unit and open fire.
“Although, Thursday night, some troops of soldiers, police and civil defense came into Omoku town and were patrolling. That will not be enough to bring voters out. Me I will not even come outside”, he said.
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