Meanwhile, the election was marred by voter apathy, vote-buying, late arrival of materials and the malfunction of the BVAS machine. Despite the efforts by INEC to ensure a hitch-free exercise, there were several complaints from voters in towns like Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Isuofia and some other parts of the state. Voting was expected to start by 8.30am but as of 11am voting was yet to commence in most centres in Awka, the state capital. With over two hours into the voting exercise, the people of Mgbakwu in Awka North were still awaiting voting materials, which later arrived after midday. Party…

Isaac Adibe sat leisurely on a pavement along Ekwulobia road in Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra South Senatorial District, watching the deserted road on Friday. The sexagenarian said he heard about the cancellation of the sit-at-home order given by separatist group, IPOB, on a radio breakfast news, but he had doubts. His scepticism was fuelled by the attacks some members of IPOB, whom he called “thugs among them,” carried out on residents who breached the sit-at-home order. Adibe does his business in neighbouring Nanka, in Orumba North LGA, and he said he would brave it, nonetheless. Asked if he would…

Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has cancelled its sit-at-home order in the southeast. The proscribed group had threatened to lock down the region from November 5 to protest the detention of Nnamdi Kanu, its leader. Emma Powerful, IPOB’s spokesperson, on Thursday, said the sit-at-home order has been cancelled to allow people in Anambra participate in the governorship election on Saturday. “Following the genuine intervention of our elders, esteemed traditional Institutions/Rulers and Religious Leaders, and after a due consideration of the positive impacts of their engagement, and sequel to the fact that our elders have spoken in our terms, the Leadership…

Iyorchia Ayu, a former senate president, was early on Sunday elected as the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Ayu, who was earlier adopted as the consensus candidate for the position, won the election unchallenged with 3,426 votes. Taofeek Arapaja, a former deputy governor of Oyo state, has also emerged as national deputy chairman (south), with 2,004 votes to defeat Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former governor of Osun state, who scored 705 votes. For the position of the national deputy chairman (north), Umar Damagum, former governorship candidate of Yobe state, polled 2,222 votes to beat Inna Ciroma, former minister of…