Two killed in Akwa Ibom LG polls violence in Ikono

Voter apathy and the late arrival of election materials on Saturday marred the Local Government election in Akwa Ibom State, with no fewer than two people killed.

Elections are currently being held across the three senatorial districts of the state to elect LG chairmen and councillors.

Two people have also allegedly been killed in Ikono due to violence in the area. Ikono, Ini, and Etim Ekpo have been identified as flashpoints.

As of 10:30 a.m., election materials were yet to arrive at most polling units, while voter apathy was widespread. One Madam Augusta, over 80 years old, who came out early to cast her vote, expressed disappointment over the election.

At Unit 7, Ward 12 in Itu Local Government Area, very few voters were seen waiting for the arrival of materials from the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission.

This was the situation in most polling units visited, including Unit 2, Ward 11 in Itu Local Government and Unit 007, Ward 14 in Uyo Local Government areas of the state.

A People’s Democratic Party agent, Mrs. Rita Archibong, who spoke with our correspondent at Unit 001, Ward 14, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, said accreditation had not started because election materials were yet to arrive.

She said, “We are still waiting for election materials from the AKISIEC office, so accreditation has not started.”

Our correspondent reports that as of the time of filing this report, AKISIEC had yet to make an official statement on the late arrival of materials at polling units.