As of 10:21 AM on Saturday, voters in Akwa Ibom State are patiently waiting for the commencement of local government elections, but officials from the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) have yet to arrive at polling units across the 31 Local Governments (LGs).
During a visit to several polling units in Uyo and Itu LGs, it was observed that no AKISIEC officials were present, causing concern among voters. At Unit 2, Ward 11 in Ibiaku, Pastor Gideon Edidem voiced the frustrations of those waiting, stating, “It’s 10:05 AM. AKISIEC officials and materials are still being expected. We have been assured they will come. No one should be surprised anyway. AKISIEC cannot be INEC. They can’t be as effective as INEC. So people are here waiting. We have no choice but to be patient.”
The situation was similar at Uyo Ward 14 Unit 1, where voters also found no election materials or officials present. Voters expressed their disappointment and concerns about the delays, hoping for a resolution as the morning progresses.