Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Low voter turnout characterised the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections in Rivers State on Saturday.
The two biggest local government areas in the state, Obio-Akpor and Port Harcourt City witnessed low voter turnout.
In what appears to be a clear depature from the February 25 presidential and national assembly elections, where people trooped out en masse, electorate seem not to be interested in the governorship and assembly elections.
Most residents in both local governments, dominated by non-indigenes stayed indoors.
The roads were deserted and adults were seen playing football on major roads within Port Harcourt metropolis.
However, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) arrived their respective polling units on time.
The INEC officials waited for voters, who came in trickles to cast their ballots.
Some shops were also seen doing business along many streets in the capital city while some community markets in Chinda, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area opened for skeletal services.
At Ward 9 Unit 7A, where the state governor, Nyesom Wike, is expected to cast his vote, INEC officials arrived early and residents of the community came out to cast their ballots.
The polling unit was not also as busy as it was during the presidential election as some plastic chairs kept for voters under the canopies were still empty.
