Category: Nigeria Decides 2023

Former Ondo Governor Olusegun Mimiko has said the deployment of technology by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has helped to stem incidences of ballot snatching and vote buying.

Mimiko, who spoke after voting at his Open space polling unit in Ondo West local government area, expressed optimism that the outcome of the election would be acceptable by the people.

Mimiko described the election as peaceful and processes less stressful.

He said he received information that some persons were intimidating voters in some rural communities.

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Chief Bode George has voted at polling unit 002, Cameron Road, Eti-Osa Local Government Area.

He described the process as ‘better than the rubbish we have been doing before now’.

He hailed INEC for the BVAS initiative ‘which will ensure a transparent process’.

George prayed the best man who would help Nigeria become better wins the election.

“I have voted my conscience and will wait for the best man to win,’ he added.

Admiral Taiwo Odedina (rtd), who voted at unit 002, described the process as okay.

“Though nothing is perfect, but the process had been fair enough despite the imperfections. My expectation after now is a better Nigeria,” he said

Read Also : ‘Call for Bode George’s arrest, sign of frustration’.

However, at polling unit 014, Ikoyi I, on the same Cameron Road, Naim Shettima and Mathew Umoh expressed their dissatisfaction with the process because they could not find their names on the voters’ register.

Shettima has been voting at the polling unit ince 1999 and Umoh since 2011. They however promised to wait til the matter is resolved.
But despite the incomplete voters’ register, the turnout was impressive with voters anxious and ready to vote.

Ebonyi Governor David Umahi voted at his Umunwofo, Umunaga ward 10, polling unit 013, Ụbụrụ, Ohaozara local government area.

The Governor arrived at the polling unit around 12:13 pm and proceeded to cast his vote after being accredited by INEC officials using the BVAs machine.

His wife, Rachel and first son, Osbourne, also voted.

Speaking to journalists after voting, Umahi expressed satisfaction with the process so far.

He commended INEC for doing a very good job and expressed confidence the election will be free and fair.

Read Also ; Four persons killed since disbandment of Ebubeagu, says Umahi

The Governor also commended security agencies for providing adequate security which led to a high turnout of voters.

He however urged them not to relax as miscreants and hoodlums may still try to unleash mayhem towards the end of the election period.

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has cast his vote in his hometown, Yelwan Duguri in the Alkaleri Local Government Area.

He arrived at his polling unit, Barki Dutse Primary school, Unit 8, alongside his wife, Aisha at about noon.

He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), saying the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has so far been efficient.

There was a heavy presence of security personnel such as the Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at the unit.

Read Also : BVAS breaks down in Sokoto

“I’m highly impressed with the large turnout of voters. The exercise is quite peaceful with no rancor.

“I can see that the electoral umpire INEC is doing very well.

“And with the way the people are coordinated, I think our democracy is growing.

“I expect the PDP to win this election, by the grace of God.

“The BVAS has been efficient. When I came here, I voted without any hitches.”

Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has said his prayer is for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to win.

The governor queued for over an hour to cast his vote.
He lamented low turnout of voters across the state and reported cases of ballot and BVAS snatching in some parts.

He called residents to come out and exercise their franchise.

El-Rufai said: “We are grateful to Almighty God for bringing us to this day when all Nigerians will decide who will lead them for the next four years.

“In Kaduna State so far, as at the time I came here, everything has been going on smoothly.

“There have only been three incidents. Last night a rice mill was attacked by people suspected to be PDP thugs. The Police are investigating.

“This morning, we got report of one incident in Southern Kaduna where BVAS and ballot boxes were snatched and in Soba where two ballot boxes were also snatched.

“Of course, these are no incidents at all because whether you snatch ballot boxes or BVAS or not, it doesn’t matter, the technology has gone beyond the primitive rigging system that political actors are used to.

“So, I must commend INEC for this improvement. So far everything appears orderly across the state; all the reports we are getting are positive.

Read Also ; JUST IN: Tinubu votes, says I’m confident of victory

“My only concern is low voter turnout, people are not coming out to vote.

“I want to appeal to everyone to please come our and vote, because you have once in four years opportunity to pick your leaders and you should take seriously.

“It is the leaders that you select today that will run the affairs of your country for the next four years.

“So, please don’t stay back at home, come out and vote. And remember anytime you don’t come out to vote, you are giving opportunity to people you don’t like two more votes, because your vote will reduce the gap by one, but if you don’t come out, you are giving them by default two more votes.

“There is still time between now and 2:30pm to come out and vote. I have been here on the queue for the past 45 minutes, waiting for my turn to vote.

“My wife has voted because the queue for women surprisingly this time is shorter than that of men.

“So, I am appealing to mothers tho finish cooking and come out vote, because it is what you do today, that will determine the direction of your state and country for the next four years.

“But, so far, everything has been peaceful.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos West senatorial candidate Dr Idiat Adebule has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve on logistics surrounding the electoral process.

She said the voting process has not been smooth and short of the people’s expectations.

Adebule, who arrived early at the Polling Unit 029 at Iba, was surprised that the INEC officials didn’t turn up until 10:40 am.

Reac Also: ​We are comfortable with Adebule’s candidacy, says CAN chair

She appealed to the aggrieved electorate who have been at the centre as early as 7:30 am to be patient.

 According to the former Lagos Deputy Governor, the late arrival of the INEC officials caused a lot of apprehension and agitation.

Adebule said: “Majority of voters are more agitated. It has not always been like this. I’ve been voting here for quite a while. The turnout of voters during this election is commendable. It was better than the previous polls. People are eager to vote.

“INEC should tidy up preparation and logistics early enough and be responsive to the people. People have been waiting here from 8am and voting didn’t commence until 11am. The electorates are not happy about it. I’m sure the INEC can improve on this.”

Voting at Zango Mosques polling unit in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has been peaceful.

Materials and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commision (INEC), arrived at the unit at about 8am, while voting began at 8:30am.

It is unlike during the Abuja area council election conducted in February last year when several people could not be identified by the BVAS.

One of the voters, Ramat Usman, 41, said there was improvement in the manner the election is conducted at the unit.

Read Also ; Voting commences at Suleja Emir’s Palace

“Unlike before, this place used to be rowdy, but now people are more orderly,” she said.

“During the council election last year, I wasn’t identified by the BVAS.

“I and several women were even asked to remove our hijab so that the machine could easily identify us.

“But this time around, we didn’t experience such a problem.”

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) lost two of their key chieftains hours before Saturday’s presidential and parliamentary elections.

The PDP was reported to have lost its FCT chairman, Sunday Zakka to automobile crash in the wee hours of Saturday.

On the other hand, the LP chairman for the Karshi Area Council, Valentine Onuigbo was reportedly found dead in bed early Saturday morning.

PDP’s Zakka was said to have died with his orderly and driver in the auto crash.

The PDP FCT Secretary, Bako Angulu was said to have confirmed Zakka’s death in Abuja on Saturday.

He was quoted to have said that Zakka died in a ghastly auto crash off Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Road, on his way to his home in Kuje to prepare for the elections.

Read Also ; Labour Party seeks postponement of polls in Ondo

Family members were said to have found LP’s Onuigbo’s dead body in his bedroom in the wee hours of Saturday.

The party chief was said to have coordinated the pre-election activities of the till party late Friday before he retired to bed

His remains were said to have been deposited at the Asokoro Hospital mutuary.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party(LP) Peter Obi said he has the capacity and mental ability to lead Nigeria. 

He spoke at Amatutu village Ward 019 Agulu, Anaocha local government area of Anambra State after casting his vote around 11.48 pm.

Read Also: Obi yet to vote, EFCC operatives storm polling unit

He dismissed the rumour he had stepped down for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Atiku Abubakar, adding that he could not step down for anybody. 

Obi, who was accompanied by his wife, Margaret, praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a well-organised presidential election. 

He hoped the exercise will be peaceful elsewhere as it was in Agulu.

Delta governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has voted with his wife.

Read Also ; Tinubu presidency will actualise EPZ project, says Omo Agege

The Deputy Senate President voted at his hometown Orogun Ward 2, Unit 19 in Ughelli North Local Government of Delta state.