http://leadership.ng/news/382580/niger-east-election-ibb-abdulsalam-absent-polls

The Niger East by-election conducted yesterday witnessed low turnout of voters, even as two former Nigerian leaders, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and General Abdulsalami Abubakar, did not vote in their hilltop polling unit in Chanchaga local government area of the state.

Also, the governor of Niger State, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, did not vote in the bye-election.

Aliyu said he could not vote because he forgot his voter card in Abuja and would not want to contravene the electoral rule on “no card, no vote”.

The governor said: “I will abide by the electoral rule that states that no one can vote without a voter card. I forgot my voter card in Abuja, which was human error, but I must commend those that came out to vote.”

At the hilltop polling unit where IBB and Abdulsalami used to vote, only 135 voters were accredited out of 500 registered voters on the voter list.

A check revealed that the two former leaders had travelled out of the state for some engagements, a development which is a departure from previous practice: they always voted in every election in the state.
IBB was however in Minna on Thursday where he received APC chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and said his Jummat prayers on Friday.

A source said that he travelled out of Minna early Saturday morning for some “pressing issues”.
It was not clear when Abdulsalami travelled out of the town, just as none of the family members was also at the polling unit to cast their vote.

The turnout generally was low due to heavy rainfall in the early hours of the day, making it difficult for voters to come out early for accreditation. Accreditation time was extended by one hour.
The governor, Dr Aliyu, lauded the maturity displayed by voters and the peaceful nature of the polls held in nine local government areas of the state.

Aliyu said at the Umar Musa polling unit in front of his personal house that voters also displayed determination to exercise their franchise by coming out in their thousands to cast their votes.
He declared, “You can see that even in the rain people still came out to vote. This is commendable.”

He added that, with what he saw during the election, democracy has come to stay in the country.
Also speaking to newsmen after casting his vote, Barrister David Umaru, the candidate of the APC, commended the determination of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials to try to get it right this time round.

Commenting on the low turnout of voters, he said many factors contributed but added that the turnout was not too poor. He kicked against inducement of voters at the polling units.
Meanwhile, the police have confirmed the arrest of two people at Tunga Bako in Makunjere Ward of Kagara local government area for trying to snatch a ballot box.

The deputy inspector-general of police in charge of ‘B’ operation, Mr Thompson Wakama, told journalists that investigation was ongoing to ascertain the mission of those arrested

IBB and abdul salam must be intentionally absent. while the gov of the state also intentionally not vote.this is part of the result come 2015.jonathan beware.

omokab: IBB and abdul salam must be intentionally absent. while the gov of the state also intentionally not vote.this is part of the result come 2015.jonathan beware.

As long as I am concerned Jonathan lost it when he added sectionalism into his government despite his failures and incompetence. He's a sectional presiddent and will get sectional votes. Sadly, its minority section that wl thumbprint 4 him.

omokab: IBB and abdul salam must be intentionally absent. while the gov of the state also intentionally not vote.this is part of the result come 2015.jonathan beware.

As long as I am concerned Jonathan lost it when he added sectionalism into his government despite his failures and incompetence. He's a sectional presiddent and will get sectional votes. Sadly, its minority section of SE and 70% SS that wl thumbprint 4 him.

The absence of these three personalties at yesterday's poll should be an eye opener to those who think these men support Jonathan/ PDP wholeheartedly. Babangida Aliyu's excuse 4 his inability to vote is quite comic.It is evident that it will be an uphill task 4 Jonathan to win d nothern votes in 2015.

snipet: Funny news.

hope nafdac was awear of your product? ah pdp R.I.P