Two former Heads of State and the sitting governor of Niger State, yesterday, failed to cast their votes in the the much-hyped Niger East Senatorial District bye-election, even though their party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fielded a candidate.
The election, which took place in nine local government councils on Saturday was in the constituency where the trio belonged too.
General Babangida and his entire household were absent from the exercise as none of them showed up at their Hilltop Polling Unit. Babangida was said to have traveled out of town election morning day due to urgent “pressing issue.”
General Adbulsalam Abubakar also did not attend, though as of press time we could not ascertain why he did not vote.
Babangida, who is said to have received the national leaders of the All Progressives Congress, led by the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; the Kano state Governor, Alhaji Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso and former Kwara State Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, barely 48 hours to the election, was said to have travelled out to attend to some pressing personal needs.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Niger State could not vote after he claimed he forgot his voters’ card in Abuja.
Aliyu told newsmen at the Umaru Musa Polling Unit in Minna, the state capital, that he would abide by the rule, which states that one cannot vote without having a voter card.
“I forgot my voter card in Abuja, which was human error, but I must commend those that came out to vote,” he said.
Aliyu, who was accompanied by his wife, said reports reaching him indicated a peaceful election in the zone.
The senatorial seat became vacant following the death of Senator Awaisu Kuta.
The two main contenders in the election were the All Progressive Congress (APC) senatorial candidate, Barrister David Umaru and Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Dr. Nuhu Zagbayi .