#NigeriaDecides2019: Abuja witnesses poor turn out of voters in Council poll

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has reportedly witnessed a poor turn out of voters as only very few people were seen at polling units for the area council chairmanship and councillorship polls.

It was gathered that as at 8:00 a.m, the turnout of voters was very low in Garki area 2, area 1, area 10, area 3 and area 8 while only three voters were seen on ground and ready to vote.

It was also revealed that less than 50 voters were available at the area 1 Primary school in contrast to over 2000 voters who were present during the Presidential election.

Some voters at the polling units who spoke to journalists said that the poor turnout was related to the February 23 elections, while expressing disappointment that their chosen candidate failed to win the presidential election.

Read also: Buhari says he expected Atiku to challenge results of presidential election

A party agent at the Ward 005, Area 2 recreational park, related the low turnout to lack of interest in local elections.

“You know in Nigeria we pick interest in national elections more than local elections, what is going on today is a local election and that is why the parties engage more canvassers to get people to come and vote.

“Many of the residents of the FCT do not even know what the chairmen or councillors do. Many people just complain about tenement rates and ground rent. “I believe the time between the national election and local election is too short so there was not enough time to canvass,” he said

By Todimu Ogunade…

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