As the 2023 presidential election commences across Cross River State in southern Nigeria, security has been tightened in the capital city of Calabar.
Across Calabar Metropolis and along strategic junctions and densely populated areas, security check points and road blocks were in place less than a kilometre apart to stop vehicular movements.
On patrol from one street to another and around the city were teams of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, the Nigeria Police as well as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The EFCC team lead in an interaction with some journalists described the voting exercise as peaceful and smooth.
Meanwhile, several people could be observed trekking for miles to get to their polling units, while others had no problem accessing the booths.
Mr. Bassey Asuquo, who resides along the Ndidem Usang Iso road, said “this is the most peaceful exercise we have had so far. There are no agitations no rancor, nothing to make us run away from voting.
“Besides, the exercise didn’t take so long. Once they started at 8.30am, I took my turn got accredited, got my ballot papers and I cast my vote accordingly. As you can see now, I am going back to my house,” he said.
In Calabar South local government area, one of the known flash points in Cross River State, the various polling units visited witnessed huge turnout of voters patiently waiting in line with minimal security operatives present.
Also observed at a few polling centres were food vendors, who displayed coolers loaded with different types of food and making brisk business.
