Nigerian voters turned out in large numbers today in the rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections which were largely peaceful.President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress,APC, and his main challenger, Atiku Abubakar, of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, were among the early voters as both, accompanied by their wives went to their respective polling stations in Daura, Katsina state and Yola, Adamawa state to cast their votes. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, a Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria,SAN, was at Ward 4, Lekki-Ikate in Victoria Garden City,VGC ,Lagos to cast his vote. He was also accompanied by his wife Dolapo.Other Presidential candidates from other parties also cast their votes in different parts of the country, in an election that many described as peaceful and orderly.Polling across the country began at a slow pace as sensitive materials initially did not get to polling centres on time. Accreditation process was slow, but Nigerians were determined to perform their civic responsibility of voting for those they want in political offices in the next four years.
The aged, physically challenged, pregnant women, youths and a cross section of Nigerians were determined to make a statement with their votes. And they did today with their Permanent Voters Card,PVC, 81 years old Mrs. Louisa Chukwura commended the process and procedure adopted by Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC. Its staff and security officials at the Gardo Nasco Science Primary School, Phase 1, Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, first identified Senior citizens, pregnant women and challenged Nigerians and ensured they voted first. “I cannot complain. My children came with me. They found my name on the list and the officials called me to come and cast my vote”.
Paul Amune, a retired civil servant with the Federal Capital Development Authority,FCDA,agreed with Mrs Chukwura. He said he was impressed with all the arrangements made by INEC.”There is no pressure here, they attended to me in spite of the crowd.A local observer, Mr Ebune Rilwan representing Global Policy Advocacy and Leadership Initiative said although the process at 005 AMAC,Goza Primary school ,was slow, the centre was very calm.More later…
