Seriki Adinoyi in Jos
There was a low turnout of voters yesterday during the local government election in Plateau State.
When THISDAY visited many polling units in Jos, the state capital, most voters stayed away from exercising their franchise.
A voter at Akawu sofiwa polling unit ward, who preferred to be unanimous, attributed the low turnout to the exclusion of political parties by a court judgment.
The judgment, according to the resident, has made the election uninteresting and one-sided.
Danjuma Ibrahim, who voted at Barking Akawu ward in Dandin Kowa quarters, however expressed satisfaction with the processes.
He said people refused to come out because of the late arrival of PLASIEC staff and little delay in the accreditation and commencement of voting.
Supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was excluded from the exercise, stayed away from polling units.
Security operatives, including personnel of the military, police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies were stationed at the various polling units and voting points.
Some of the areas visited include Tudun Wada, Rayfield, Mai Adikwo, Abattoir, Goradong, Gura Topp, Rukuba Road and Agwan Rukuba in Jos South and Jos North local government areas of the State.
But Plateau Governor Simon Lalong, who voted with his wife, Regina and other close family members around 10:30 a.m., said he was impressed with the turn out and enthusiasm in his ward.
He said he got encouraging reports from the 17 local government areas, which he said indicated the exercise was peaceful.
