By Tina George, Minna
Former President Abdulsalami Abubakar, Niger state governor Abubakar Sani-Bello, Sen. David Umaru, former governor Babangida Aliyu on Saturday decried the low turnout of voters in the governorship and house of assembly elections in Niger state.
Speaking shortly after he cast his vote, Abdulsalami expressed disappointment over the low turnout of voters in the elections..
“I am short of words to describe the low turnout of today’s election because the difference is clear when compared to the large turnout of the last Presidential elections.
“Certainly, the turnout of voters during the presidential/national assembly elections is much when compared to that of today – governorship and house of assembly elections.
“Probably because people are tired or because they were disenfranchised during the previous elections but one thing that is glaring is that the turnout in today’s election is low,” he said.
Abdulsalami urged the contestants to accept the result of the elections in good faith.
“I want to advice the contestants to accept the outcome of the elections in good faith having at the back of their minds that there must be a winner and a looser.
“They should take a cue from the violence that erupted at the end of the last elections where some people lost their lives and property.”
Also speaking to news men, governor Sani Bello, after casting his vote at the Alkali Mustapha polling unit in Kontagora, said the turnout was not impressive but attributed it to electorates’ other engagements.
“The turn out is a bit low but may be as a result of the timing as most women will have to engage in some house chores. I expect that before 2pm there will be improvement in the the number of voters. At the moment, it is too early to conclude that there is low turnout,” he said.
The wife of the governor, Dr. Amina Abubakar Bello expressed satisfaction with the exercise.
“Women would usually sort out their home before they will have to come out and vote. More time should be given before the judgement of low turnout is made,” she said.
Former Niger state, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu also decried the low turnout of voters said they would have to accept whatever result they get.
According to him, the voters should have kept hope and be optimistic about the election.
