MARCH 18 POLLS: ONE FEARED DEAD IN EBONYI, OPPOSITION LAMENT VOTER SURPRESSION

REPORTERS: CHUKWUBUIKE MADU & SIMON IDUMA

Voting commenced late in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State following reported attack by political thugs on gadgets meant to be deployed for election.

About 20 Bimodal Verification and Accreditation System (BVAS) were burnt and destroyed at the RAC Centre, Umuezekoha Youth Assembly Hall, Ezza North Local Government Area.

The incident happened before deployment of electoral materials and Radio Nigeria gathered that three people sustained gunshot wounds in the attack.

The attack delayed commencement of voting in the area as eligible voters waited for hours exercise their franchise.

Radio Nigeria also gathered that there were heavy shooting in the local government a night to the polls with allegation that people were warned not to vote against the ruling party in the state.

Notwithstanding the threats, many people trooped out to vote in the area considered the strong hold of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Also, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Dr. (Prophet) Chris Adol-Awam, alleged that thugs of the ruling party killed his party agent, Thomas Obodo, as he tried to stop them from snatching a ballot box at Oferekpe, Igbeagu Ward 2 in Izzi Local Government Area.

The NNPP guber candidate also alleged that APC thugs kidnapped his party agent, Mr. Fred Alobu, at Ekpomaka Community in Ikwo Local Government Area.

He lamented there had been serious intimidation and surpression of voters in the state by the ruling party.

However, when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Ebonyi State, Ms. Onome Onovwakpoyeya, told Radio Nigeria that she was unaware of the alleged killing and kidnap of NNPP agents.

She also said she heard there were violence in Ezza North Local Government Area but was yet to get an official report on the incident.

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