The Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election on Saturday began on a shaky note as only a few voters turned out at polling centres.

The by-election followed the death of Olajide Akinremi of the All Progressives Congress on July 10.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission arrived as early as 7:30 a.m. at various polling centres, but voter presence was scanty.

At Bodija Ward 10 Unit 26 (8:22 a.m.) and Ward 5 Unit 19 (8:27 a.m.), INEC officials were already on the ground, setting up for the exercise.

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“We are 100 per cent ready at Methodist Grammar School, Bodija, Ward 5, Unit 26. As you can see, we are setting up and waiting for voters. Their list will be pasted soon,” Omolara Gbamigbade, an INEC official, said.

Similarly, Bolaji Abiona, a PDP agent at Ward 10 Unit 26, noted: “Everything is set. INEC is here, the police are here. We are waiting for people so accreditation and voting can commence.”

The first voter at Ward 10 Unit 27, Police Station, Bodija Housing Corporation, Miss Oluwaseun Omisakin, arrived at 9:07 a.m. and cast her vote within five minutes.

According to her, the process was smooth. “I got to where the voters’ list was pasted and saw my name. I wasn’t even expecting it. The comportment of the INEC officials was excellent, especially how the BVAS official handled the minor glitch that occurred. It showed they were prepared,” she said.

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NAN, however, reports that apart from Omisakin and one other voter, no one else had turned up at the polling unit by the time of filing the report.

At Sango, Oju Irin, opposite Gateway Baptist Church, Ward 8 Unit 031, PDP party agent, Ajayi Lucas, lamented the late arrival of officials.

“We have been calling the collation officer to alert him that INEC officials were not on ground, only for them to arrive at 9:50 a.m. This is not acceptable, it ought not to be so,” Lucas said.

INEC officials were also yet to be seen at Ward 8 Unit 1, Sango Ibadan, at the time of reporting.

An agent of the Peoples Democratic Party was attacked on Saturday at Ozolua Model Primary School, Iguobazuwa East Ward, headquarters of Ovia South-West Local Government Area, Edo State, for allegedly refusing to release Permanent Voter Cards to eligible voters.

The agent, whose name was withheld, was accused of hoarding the cards.

A voter, who identified himself as Robert, said, “The PDP agent has our voter cards and we need them to vote, but he refused to release them. People got angry and descended on him.

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“The fact is that he mobilised us for the registration, so when the cards came, many people handed them over to him, believing they would collect them during the election. However, he refused to release them because most of the people wanted to vote for the APC candidate, Omosede Igbinedion.”

The swift intervention of the police saved the agent from being lynched.

Observers say the low turnout could affect the pace and energy of the election, emphasising the need for more residents to participate to ensure robust representation.

Voting kicked off on Saturday at Igbo-Ukwu 1 Polling Unit in Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State, for the Anambra South Senatorial District bye-election, but voter turnout remained low despite the early arrival of materials.

Accreditation and voting began on time at Ihua-Afor Ward III and Afaukwu College Ward II, but many polling units recorded thin crowds, with residents slow to show up.

The bye-election, covering seven local government areas, seeks to fill the seat left vacant after the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in 2024.

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Dominic Okafor, Member representing Aguata Federal Constituency, who voted at Igbo-Ukwu Polling Unit, acknowledged the low turnout but urged residents to exercise their civic duty.

“First and foremost, we pray for the repose of the soul of our former Senator, Ifeanyi Ubah. Voting has started, but we urge more people to come out. Almost a year without representation is too long, and every vote counts,” Okafor said.

Eighty-year-old voter, Madam Victoria Okeke, said she was pleased with the process, even though turnout was low.

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“Materials came early, around 7:30 am. I was accredited and have voted. It was good and smooth, but not many people have come out yet,” she said.

An INEC official, who requested anonymity, confirmed that all machines were working and the process was seamless. She noted that voters began arriving as early as 7:00 am, conducting themselves orderly while security personnel monitored the units.

Observers say the low turnout could affect the pace and energy of the election, emphasising the need for more residents to participate to ensure robust representation.