Transport fare has increased following mass movement of people from the northern part of Adamawa state to other parts as a result of threats from the Boko Haram insurgents.
According to reports, the cost of travelling from Mubi to Yola has increased by almost 400 per cent. “We used to pay N1,000 from Mubi, but today I paid N5,000,” said Aliyu Buba, a student from Mubi.
The state university in the town has been shut, over fears of an imminent Boko Haram attack.
The annexation of territories by the insurgents Islamic Caliphate has seriously affected six local councils in the northern part of the state.
They are: Madagali, Michika, Mubi North, Mubi South and Maiha local government areas.
Today as voters were issued with permanent voters card for the 11 October bye election, the councils were excluded and all indications are that the registered voters there will not be able to vote. They need the PVC to do so.
Meanwhile, the Adamawa Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) said the election will go ahead.
The assurance is contained in a statement jointly signed by AIG John Abakasanga, Chairman of ICCES, and the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr Kassim Gaidam.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the date for the Adamawa State by-election stands 11th October 2014, and these resolutions are subject to the approval of the Chairman of INEC, Prof Attahiru Jega,” the statement said.
It said the distribution of PVC was suspended “until such a time when normalcy is restored to the aforementioned local government areas, meaning that voters in those areas shall use their Temporary Voters’ Cards (TVC) to vote for the elections”
