Confusion reigned in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, during the local government elections as voters struggled to find polling stations amid the late arrival of electoral materials. On Saturday, residents searched for locations to cast their votes but found no clear direction.

During an on-the-ground investigation by our correspondent, polling units at various locations, including the NULGE office, Ankpa quarters, Wadatta, Modern Market, North Bank, and NEPA polling unit along Otukpo Road and Barracks Road, revealed a significant absence of electoral materials. Many voters reported that they were redirected to their ward headquarters to vote.

At 1:12 pm, presiding officer Enokela Akor at the NULGE polling unit expressed his frustration after waiting since 7:30 am for the necessary materials. “The election was supposed to commence at 8:00 am, and as presiding officer, I arrived on time. Yet, at 1:12 pm, I still have no information regarding the materials,” Akor lamented.

Similarly, our correspondent noted disarray at the LGEA primary school, Walomaya ward collation center around 11:37 am, where electoral officers were observed sorting materials instead of distributing them.

ALSO READ: Benue PDP Elects New Leadership, Ezekiel Adaji Named Chairman Adaji Vows to Reconcile Aggrieved Party Members

Voters at Tilley Gyado and Agan toll gate ward collation centers voiced their worries over what they labeled as the ‘centralization of voting.’ A concerned voter named Aondover reported, “We arrived at our polling unit at the old bridge, North Bank at 9 am but were instructed to come to the Agan collation center. We’ve been waiting for over two hours without any updates.”

In response to the chaos, the chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission, Richard Tombowua, insisted that elections were ongoing across all polling units and denied any centralization issues. He stated, “From the reports we’re receiving, the election is proceeding smoothly across the state.”

Benjamin Omale, the State Caretaker Committee Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, confirmed visiting seven polling units before 11 am, noting that everything was running smoothly. However, newly elected State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ezekiel Adaji, was critical of the process, calling it “rubbish.”

At 1:58 pm, Adaji remarked, “I am still at my polling unit in Idekpa, waiting for election materials and officers. We anticipated a fair election because of the priest’s leadership, but this is far from what we expected.”