By Frank Ulom
Officers of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested three persons for allegedly disrupting the ongoing by-election in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State.
CONVERSEER gathered that the three people arrested were one Barr. Emmanuel Itile and his two younger brothers.
The trio, suspected to be political thugs were apprehended by the Police while disrupting the electoral process in Bayaga Polling Unit in Obanliku.
CONVERSEER reports that the people of Obanliku State Constituency took to the poll on Saturday to decide who will represent them in the Cross River State House of Assembly, following the recent court rulings.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC had earlier announced Hon. Ashakia Pius of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as the winner of the 18 March 2023 Obanliku State Constitiency election.
INEC, via a statement published on its verified social media pages, said it is monitoring reported disruption of election processes in other states, including Akwa Ibom, Enugu and Kano States.
READ ALSO | EU commits €5m to conserve Cross River forest, wildlife
“Generally, polls opened promptly and accreditation going on smoothly in the 8,934 Polling Units in 26 States involved in today’s by-elections and re-run elections.
“However, we are monitoring reported disruption of processes by acts of thuggery and hijacking of materials in some locations in Akwa Ibom, Enugu and Kano States.
“In Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State, we are investigating reported incidents in Village Hall, EdemUrua 003 in Ini LGA and Village Hall Mbiabong Ikot Udo 003 in Ikono LGA.
“In Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Enugu State, we are investigating reports of disruption in 8 Polling Units in Uwani West Ward.
“In Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituencies of Kano State, processes have been disrupted in Kunchi Local Government Area involving 10 Polling Units.
“We will provide regular updates on the situation,” the statement read.
WATCH THE VIDEO OF DISRUPTION OF ELECTORAL PROCESS BELOW