#ReporterDiaries: Why are the people afraid to vote in Rivers?

by Godwin Akanfe

As a reporter, there is something disconcerting when on assignment, and every single subject of an interview declines to have their photos taken, or their full names used. This is the experience that I had on 8 April, along the Ikwerre Road.

At the Total Petrol Station, just by the Police Station at Rumukirikum, four people gathered around the pumps were naturally discussing what is coming on Saturday. They were all in agreement about what should be, and what should not be.

“If the election is really free, there is no way Wike will win,” said Tekena, the most vocal of the group. “Even in Obio-Akpor, people are tired of him and his gang.”

“Gang?”

“Yes,” replied someone else who refused to even give a name. “For years they have been running around as if they own this town. People are sick of them.”

Following that conversation, and a short drive away between First Bank and Zenith Bank on Rumuola Road, a similar conversation.

“See,” said a dreadlocked chap who gave his name as Taribo, “if they will allow us to vote, many of us will vote for Dakuku just to remove the likes of Wike from power.”

“What of the third candidate, Princewill?” I asked.

“Princewill has no chance, so why should I waste my vote?” Taribo shot back. “I will die if Princewill gets up to 1000 votes in the whole Rivers State.”

This statement, Taribo’s seeming assuredness of his position, and the nods that he got from the small crowd, put into stark relief, the lack of Tonye Princewill posters that I’d noticed since arriving in Port Harcourt yesterday.

I spoke with another man-on-the-street, a motor mechanic who simply gave his name as Paul, and his take was mildly disturbing.

“All the people who are talking to you, did they agree for you to take their pictures?”

“No.”

“Did they say they will vote?”

“No.”

“Oga, the truth is that no election held in this state when they voted Buhari. And even this week, no election will hold. All these people will stay at home.”

Will Paul’s cynicism be proved right?

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