Saturday’s local government elections in Niger State were marred by low voter turnout, violence, and reports of missing electoral materials in several polling units across the state.

As of 9:00 a.m., most polling units were either deserted or without electoral officials. In some areas, voters arrived early only to find no ballot boxes or election officers on site.

In Chanchaga Local Government Area, voter turnout was notably poor, with many polling units recording fewer than half of their expected voters. Election materials reportedly arrived late — around 10:30 a.m. — and were said to be incomplete in some locations.

Similarly, Bosso and Paikoro LGAs experienced late deployment of materials and election officials. In parts of Paikoro, elections did not hold at all as materials failed to arrive by midmorning.

The situation was particularly tense in Magama Local Government Area, where angry residents in Nasko reportedly set electoral materials on fire after discovering that result sheets were missing. Witnesses said the crowd initially threatened to burn down the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) office, but nearby residents intervened to prevent the fire from spreading to homes.

A senior NSIEC official, who requested anonymity, confirmed that some sensitive materials were saved but admitted that others were destroyed in the incident.

In Mokwa LGA, violence disrupted the distribution of electoral materials as officials conveying ballot boxes to Muregi and Gbara were attacked. One victim, Usman Sanda, alleged that ballot boxes meant for specific polling units were unlawfully diverted to Bida, and residents who protested were assaulted by suspected political thugs.

Elections were also either delayed or suspended in Shiroro, Munya, and Rijau LGAs due to insecurity and logistical challenges. In Rijau, officials reportedly withheld materials after hearing about the unrest in Magama, citing safety concerns.

Adding to the day’s turmoil, the PDP chairmanship candidate in Agwara LGA, David Ezekiel Laiga, announced his withdrawal from the race on Saturday morning, saying his decision was made “in the interest of peace, unity, and development.”

Confirming the unrest, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said several suspects had been arrested in connection with the burning of election materials in Magama.

The election, meant to strengthen grassroots democracy in the state, instead exposed widespread logistical lapses, insecurity, and voter apathy — raising fresh concerns over the credibility of local polls in Niger State.c