Violence flares again at Abonnema town in Rivers State as thugs snatch ballot boxes from six polling units

RIVERS State has been the centre of more political violence today despite a heavy military presence as armed thugs have once again snatched ballot boxes in the town of Abonnema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area as they did during the presidential polls.

Two weeks ago when Nigeria went to the polls to elect a president and members of the National Assembly, Abonnema was the centre of some of the worst violence witnessed in Nigeria. Gunshots were fired in the town, ballot boxes were snatched and local residents had to scamper for dear life.

As a result of the violence in Abonnema, which serves as the headquarters of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec), had to cancel most of the results from the town. To forestall a repeat incidence today, soldiers were deployed to the town but it appears that this has not deterred the thugs or prevented violence.

Apparently, ballot boxes were snatched in wards five, six, seven, 10, 11 and 12 of Abonnema today, creating panic and forcing voters to flee. It is believed that the ongoing feud between Governor Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party and his predecessor Rotimi Amaechi of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is now Nigeria's transport minister, is behind the violence.

There are now fears that Inec may have to cancel the elections from at least parts of Abonnema again today. Across the rest of Rivers State, however, voting appears to be going no smoothly, with Governor Wike himself casting his vote at Unit Seven, Ward Nine of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

After voting, Governor Wike, accompanied by his wife Eberechi, declared that he is confident of victory. According to the governor, despite attempts to manipulate the election in some local government areas, he is sure of emerging victorious.

Governor Wike said: “Sometimes, the voting goes on smoothly but the main thing is at the collation centres. For now, we are satisfied and confident that we will win this election very well and we are not afraid.

"We don’t know how many local government areas they can manipulate but with reports we are getting, even though they are trying to be funny, we shall win. The way the military acted discouraged people from turning up as the role of the military is to provide security but it is unfortunate that they directly participated. Police have no role in the elections as the military appears to have taken over police duties.”