2023 Election: Despite Banditry, Katsina Residents Show Patriotism, Eagerness To Vote

Some inhabitants of Katsina State, especially those affected by banditry, have expressed their eagerness and resilience to vote for candidates of their choice in the forthcoming poll.

Recall that not fewer than 242 poling units across 10 Local Government Areas (LGAs) were assessed by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), and indications made that election would not hold due to the activities of banditry in these areas.

The Commission’s head of the Department of Electoral Operation, in the state, Husseni Jaafar, recently disclosed that about 142,261 registered voters will be affected in the 10 LGAs, hence necessitating their relocation so they can cast their votes. 

A resident of Shimfida community in Jibia, one of the front line LGAs in the state, Ibrahim Rodi, told me that they are ready to comply with the directives of the government to move them elsewhere to exercise their franchise.

He explained, “We have four polling units in Shimfida, but there are arrangements for us to move to Gurbi close to town, where we will all cast our votes. They said the INEC officials can’t enter Shimfida, but assured that they will send vehicles on the day of election to convey us to the place.

” Our challenge is the food to eat, which is very difficult since we were sacked from our homes and did not farm last year. We only rely on cutting and selling firewood, and feeding on some fruits to survive the hardship. The government should assist us with food.”

Another source who preferred anonymity also revealed that the election would only take place in Batsari and Wagimi districts of Batsari LGA, explaining that the other wards within the area are not accessible due to the threat of insecurity.

He said, “INEC would take ballot papers to all wards under the Batsari district areas, likewise in Wagimi district. But there are also arrangements for displaced people to vote since their wards are not accessible.

“It is obvious that INEC cannot conduct election in all the wards and polling units in Batsari LGA, because there are areas that bandits are in control, and  I also believe that not all the people displaced will be interested in exercising their franchise in the Wagimi districts, except die hard members of a party because of the hardship they are going through,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, efforts made to receive a response from the government on the level of preparation for the electorates in the front line LGAs failed. But findings revealed that the council’s chairmen are given the responsibility to provide the needed modalities.

Also gathered is that security is heightening in the concerned areas to ensure the safety of the people. This is in addition to assembling vehicles that will convey people to the new locations to cast their votes.