Chime Ahead in Enugu Polls 

By Festus Owete

Results of the governorship and house of assembly elections trickling in from collation centres in Enugu State indicate that the incumbent governor, Sullivan Chime, is ahead of his challengers.

Though largely peaceful, the exercise was marked by low voter turnout in most parts of the state.

Mr Chime, who contested on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was maintaining a comfortable lead, though figures were still being collated, at press time.

For instance, in the five polling booths located in Michael Okpara Square, the incumbent governor scored a total of 1,200 votes to beat the candidate of the People for Democratic Change (PDC), Dan Shere, who came a distant second with a little over 40 votes.

Osita Okechukwu of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Okey Ezea of the Labour Party (LP), Obinna Obiegue of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Valentine Nnaedozie of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and others recorded far less number of votes.

Likewise, at the Government Technical Centre (GTC), the PDP candidate was ahead of the other candidates by a wide margin.

Except in Udi, the home town of the Enugu State governor, and a few other places, most parts of the state recorded low voter turnout. Large numbers of enthusiastic voters came out in Udi to vote for their son, who is seeking a second term in office.

Mr Chime, who was accompanied by his wife, Clara, voted at the polling unit located at Premier Primary School in his Udi/Abudu Ward at about 12:39pm. He was greeted with a loud applause when he announced that he voted for himself.

At other polling centres visited in Enugu metropolis as well as in Nsukka zone, many voters stayed away. Party agents at the Ugbo Okonkwo polling centre in New Haven, Enugu, confirmed that there was low turnout, which they attributed to the long Easter break.

Labour Party complaint

Stating that the turnout of voters was more impressive in the previous elections, the agents revealed that out of over 1,500 people who registered in the two polling booths at the centre, only about 500 people came out to vote. Except for a complaint lodged by Mr Ezea of the Labour Party (LP) about an alleged plot to kill his party’s agents, the exercise in the state was uneventful.

During the accreditation of voters, the LP candidate sent a text message to journalists alleging that the state commissioner for information, Chuks Ugwuoke, and other agents of the ruling PDP government had attempted to murder the part’s agents but were arrested by the police.

He also alleged that, during the melee that followed, a call came “from above” instructing the police to free them while his party’s agents were to be arrested instead.

Okezie Nwankwo, the public relations officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Enugu State, said last night that the reports the commission had received from the voting centres showed that there were no skirmishes.

Mr Nwankwo added that “the results from all the local government areas would be in by last night or today.”

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Enugwu ga di.

(De ma, ọ na chikwa ọchi? )

ezeagu:

Enugwu ga di.

(De ma, ọ na chikwa ọchi? )

He's a serious guy, hahahaha.

Enugu bu egwu eji. Am delighted.

ooooh, and he's handsome too. see a handsome governor that knows what he's doing. not all those ugly, old, archaic, craw craw ones. lol

ezeagu:

Enugwu ga di.

(De ma, ọ na chikwa ọchi? )

Lol. He is an angry man.

Thats my man!

Chime wins!!

dustydee:

Chime wins!!

Very nice!

Enugu is leading the way.