#NigeriaDecides2023: Ben Ayade Votes, Faults Late Arrival Of Materials

The Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade has faulted the late arrival of voting materials in some areas of the State.

This is as he expressed displeasure that his people were at risk of being disenfranchised due to the delayed arrival of materials for Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Naija News reports that the governor, who voted at about 2.08.pm, at Polling Unit 033, Ipong Ward said he was surprised to cast his vote at that time as materials arrived at his polling unit at about 1 pm.

Ayade, who spoke after casting his vote noted that “Well I am surprised that I have just cast my vote at about 2:08.pm. We didn’t have materials until 1:pm and when the materials did arrive, there were no INEC staff available to attend to voters.”

“I hope INEC will allow every single person who has come here to vote to do so without being institutionally disenfranchised.”

Naija News however gathered that there were incidences of late voting in most parts of the state’s capital.

It was learnt that materials were reported to have arrived late at some polling units in Calabar South and Calabar Municipal.

While BVAS malfunctioned and was not replaced until 3.10 pm, ballot papers were reported finished in some units.

However, it was gathered that the situation was different in the hometown of the National Women Leader of the APC, Dr Betta Edu, who said she voted before noon.