Contrary to fears that Akwa Ibom state will be militarised during the governorship and states house of assembly elections, the Next Edition reports that soldiers are conspicuously missing on the streets of Uyo, the state capital.
However, the atmosphere is soaked with tension even as voters are seen trekking to their respective polling units to exercise their civic rights.
Our correspondent on ground in the state reports that so far, activities have been peaceful with a feeling of uneasy calm thick in the air.
“We have gone through Uyo town and as we head towards Eket, no soldiers have been sighted. We have only encountered one Police check point, near a Police station in the town.
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“People are seen trekking to polling units.”
Recall that during the presidential and national assembly polls, the streets of Uyo and other parts of the state had been flooded with soldiers.
Our correspondent also reports the early arrival of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, again as against what obtained during the last elections.