Low Turnout Marks Peaceful Onitsha North 1 By-Election Despite Early Start
Voting materials were delivered as early as 8 a.m. on Saturday at several polling centres in Onitsha North 1, including Polling Units 017 and 016 in Ward 3, situated along Uba Road and Awka Road respectively, for the state House of Assembly by-election.
Similar punctuality was recorded at other voting locations such as Agba Street, Orakuwe, Ugwuta Road, and Okosi, covering Polling Units 6 and 9 in Ward 4.
However, the swift deployment of electoral items did not translate into high voter participation. The exercise was overshadowed by poor turnout, with many eligible voters staying away. INEC officials at various locations were largely inactive due to the sparse crowd.
At most polling stations, citizens arrived individually, allowing them to complete both accreditation and voting with minimal delay.
This by-election seeks to fill the legislative seat vacated following the tragic abduction and murder of Justice Azuka, the previous representative for Onitsha North 1 in the state assembly.
Candidates representing key political parties—including the Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Young Progressives Party (YPP), African Democratic Party (ADP), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)—are contesting for the seat.
Security was visibly tight throughout the constituency, with law enforcement agencies stationed at critical points to maintain order and safety, contributing to a calm and orderly process.
Despite the restriction on movement, some commercial activities persisted, with traders displaying goods and young people engaging in football matches on otherwise quiet roads.
Presiding Officer Ngozi Ugwuegbu, who supervised proceedings at Ward 3, confirmed to journalists that she arrived at her post by 8 a.m. and described the conduct of the exercise as smooth, with fully functional equipment and no network disruptions.
She noted that those who showed up behaved in an orderly fashion and were promptly verified and allowed to vote.
A representative of APGA, Sylvester Mozie, echoed similar sentiments, praising the smooth coordination of the election and confirming the absence of disruptions or technical glitches.
One voter, 45-year-old Uchenna Emerie, expressed satisfaction with the process, noting that he was able to vote quickly and without any inconvenience.
