Sola Ojo, Kaduna
Press Secretary to former Vice President Namadi Sambo, Umar Sani, has given insight on why there was poor turnout of voters during the governorship and state house of assembly elections in Kaduna State.
Speaking to Sunday Sun shortly after he voted at Polling Unit 010 Damaturu Road, Umar said, many eligible voters did not come out to vote because of their perception on the outcome of the presidential election two weeks ago that their votes did not count.
He also alleged that, an attempt by Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to pay some Islamic preachers, to preach in his favour, hindered many Muslims with conscience to come out and vote.
According to Sani, “ the reasons for poor turnout are numerous. The general voters apathy is affecting the election. Some people believed that there was no point because the person they voted for during the presidential election did not emerge victorious because their votes did not count.
“Secondly, the use of Islamic clerics is another factor. He paid people to come and preach to us in Kaduna all the way from Gombe. But our people have decided where to go.
“So, those that were opposed to religion preachers, in order not to be caught in the web, decided to remain indoors. Some believed that, instigating them against others was not captured in the Quaran and Hadit. So, they did not come out to vote.
“From the feelers I am getting, the turn out in southern part of the state was massive and peaceful as at now. We are hopeful that our candidate for the state, Isa Ashiru will come out victorious.”