Election: Ballot Papers For Two Senatorial Zones Yet to Arrive Niger

An atmosphere of peace pervaded Daura in Katsina State, the hometown of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is contesting in today’s presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The large number of security personnel which was noticeable when the President went for the Friday Jumat Service thinned out into a sizeable presence on the major roads leading into the town from Katsina, Kano and Niger Republic.

The Divisional Police Officer in-charge of the Central Police Station in Daura, Mr. Moham- med Suleiman Buhari, said all was calm and that there was no report of untoward incidents. He revealed, however, that more security personnel were on hand from neighbouring states. “We have Mobile Policemen from Kano and Jigawa states to complement the men we have on ground. After securing the environment when the President went to the Mosque in the afternoon, they have withdrawn. You may see them again tomorrow, patrolling the town.”

President Buhari’s country home is off the highway leading to Kongolam, about 10 minutes drive to the border with Niger Republic. There are check points of different military and paramilitary agencies on the Kongolam road, including the Army, Police, Customs Service and Immigration Service.

The usual burst of activities at the Kongolam border post had slowed down as officials of the NIS enforced the 48-hour closure of the border, ordered by the federal government. An official of the National Union of Road Transport Workers at the Kongolam motorpark, Alhaji Momoh Ahmed confirmed limited transaction at the Nigeria- Niger border

“Business has been dull today because of the closure of the border,” he said.

The lone major hospitality provider in Daura, the Katsina State government-owned, Daura Motel was counting its gain, according to its Assistant Manager, Mallam Yusuf Garba. He noted, “all the 54 rooms are full. It is usually like this once there is a big event or the President is in town, otherwise, for the better part of the year, the rooms are empty, even at weekends.” Some journalists and other professionals on the trail of Buhari to monitor the Presidential election have to seek accommodation at ABM Guest Inn at Kongolam,

Less than 24 hours to the presidential and national assembly election some sensitive materials including ballot papers are yet to arrive Niger State.

THISDAY learnt that the ballot papers for the senatorial and House of Representatives election for Niger North and Niger East senatorial zones were yet to be received.

Only the ballot papers for the presidential election and that for Senate and House of Representatives for Niger South senatorial zones were received.

According to findings, the Independent National Electoral Commission in the state had “urgently dispatched“officials to Abuja to find out what was responsible and collect the ballot papers.

State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Sam Egwu when contacted confirmed the development saying that “everything is being handled, we have sent people to Abuja to collect the ballot papers.”

Professor Egwu however said the sensitive and other non-sensitive materials already received had been dispatched to the relevant constituencies saying that “I assure everybody that the materials will get to the polling stations at the right time.”

“We are ready for the election 85 per cent,” Egwu declared.

Reacting to the security situation in some local governments, the Resident Electoral Commissioner said three local governments “Munya, Shiroro, and Rafi “have been identified because of their closeness to Zamfara and Kaduna states saying that special security arrangements had been made.

He pleaded with communities to assist by providing security of their own to ensure a peaceful election.