Political bigwigs in the country were at their respective polling stations to cast their ballots on Saturday 25 February 2023.
It will be recalled that the presidential and national assembly elections were held in the country on Saturday.
President Muhammadu Buhari ,who arrived at his Kofar Baru Polling station 003 in Babban Tone quarters Sarkin Yara A Ward , Daura, Katsina state at 09:55a.m was accompanied by his wife, Aisha Buhari, and two of his daughters.
‘I’ve gone to Nasarawa, Sokoto, Katsina all over the place I mentioned my favourite candidate, and I believe my constituency will vote for him hundred per cent’ the president told journalists after casting his ballot.
His Chief of Staff , Prof. Ibrahim Gambari , an indigene of Kwara state, has also voted at his polling place 005, Akanbi IV, Ilorin South local government, Kwara state..
He told reporters including Team@orientactualmags.com that he was impressed by the professionalism shown by the INEC officials while urging Nigerians to only attach importance to the election results announced by the electoral umpire..
‘I am impressed with the professionalism shown by the INEC officials, the orderliness and smoothness with which the process is going.
I am delighted to perform my civic duty, that is to cast my vote for the candidate of my choice in my own constituency.
The electors should vote for the candidates that they know will meet their aspirations for a better life; vote wisely and decide who is best to meet your expectations.
The contestants should accept the results as announced by INEC which is the only constitutionally- empowered authority to announce election results and not social media results.
Those who have any grievances should go through the constitutional and legal process’ he said.
PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who voted at Ajiya 02, Gwadabawa Ward, Yola North Local Government, Adamawa state, has expressed optimism that he will be succeeding President Muhammadu Buhari in May.
‘Democracy is here to stay, Iam too confident of victory’ Asiwaju Bola Tinubu also submitted on Saturday after casting his vote at polling station 085, ward 3, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos state. He was at the polling place with his wife, Senator Remi Tinubu.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara state , who expressed satisfaction with the voter turnout on Saturday, had however urged INEC to quickly work on reports of the BVAS machines malfunctioning at some locations in the state.
He said this after casting his ballot at his Idigba Polling station 004 in Adewole , Ilorin West local government , telling reporters that he was upbeat about the ruling All Progressives Congress emerging victorious in the elections.
The governor arrived at the polling station in company of his wife, Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq, and other members of his immediate family.
AbdulRazaq commended the peaceful conduct of the election noting that the security agencies had been up and doing.
‘It is a good turnout despite the late arrival of INEC materials and malfunctioning of Biomodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines in some areas. Electors are ready to stay put to exercise their franchise.
I call on those who are yet to vote to come out and vote. APC will succeed eventually, and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be the next president of Nigeria.
Security situation is good. Security agencies are doing their best. Things are calm, just like the last elections (2019). But the late arrival of INEC materials may affect voting, and I hope they stay long enough for everyone to vote’ he submitted.
Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has also said he was happy that voters in Kebbi state came out in large numbers to participate in the elections.
The governor, who arrived at his polling station in Garkar Mai-Alelu , Nasarawa 11 , Birnin Kebbi in company of his wives; Hajiya Aisha Atiku Bagudu and Dr. Zainab Shinkafi . commended the voters for their peaceful conduct while thanking the Security Agencies for doing a marvelous job to ensure a peaceful atmosphere.
He noted that the new systems introduced by INEC had also facilitated smooth conduct of the exercise.
Governor Bagudu told reporters that he was aware of the general complaints in the state about late arrival of election materials at polling stations which had delayed the commencement of voting .
The Governor ,who voted at 12: 40 pm, noted that voting had to be delayed for four hours at his polling place due to late arrival of election materials.
He congratulated Nigerians for having the opportunity to exercise their civic rights peacefully .
Hajiya Aisha Atiku Bagudu and Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu also said they were happy that women turned out in large numbers at the polling stations .
‘It is a big day in the history of Nigeria, I don’t want it to pass or go without me participating in the process’ Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu said.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, who voted at Sagba/Abogunde Ward 2, Unit 9 , Ede, Osun state, has also once again, called the new electoral act a landmark contribution to Nigeria’s democratic development.
‘ I have voted and as you can see, it went well. The Electoral Act is a legislation that we should celebrate for refining our elections. Our votes now count.
Again, I commend President Muhammadu Buhari for the courage and the patriotism he demonstrated by signing the bill into law. It is a landmark law.
I call on our people to remain peaceful and eschew violence. Democracy is about thumb printing your choice, not about killing and maiming’ he said.
Ede Norh/Ede South/ Ejigbo/ Egbedore PDP reps candidate, Hon Bamidele Salam, was also at Unit 7, Awo-Abudo , Egbedore local government to cast his ballot on Saturday.
While submitting that the election process was okay, the federal lawmaker however noted that voter turnout in some parts of the state was low, citing the current hardships faced by the people . He however lauded INEC and other stakeholders for doing a good job.
Former Kwara state Commissioner for Finance, Hon Demola Banu , who voted at the polling station in the frontage of Olupo’s palace, Ajase-Ipo , Irepodun local government, told our reporter, Ibrahim Salman that the arrangements of things at some of the polling stations will make it easy for buyers and sellers of votes to seal a deal.
‘It has been peaceful, and everybody is going about the voting exercise in an orderly manner. I think this is a peaceful election and I want to commend INEC for their efforts so far. It has been wonderful however the way they arranged the polling booths may give room for people to show people who they have voted for and definitely we know how it happens. We call it secret ballot so we should not even allow anybody to sell votes.
If you want to buy you have to see somebody who wants to sell and the only way they can sell it is to show it to the people. It’s not just before voting, even during voting, when you allow people to see where you are voting, and who you are voting for. Then, it is a weakness. I think in subsequent elections, INEC should look into this’ he said.
Immediate past governor of Osun state, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, and his wife, Alhaja Kafayat Oyetola were at Ward 1, Unit 10, Boripe Local Government, to cast their ballots.
Oyetola, who applauded the peaceful election process and voter turnout at his polling sttaion, however raised serious concerns over reports of severe attacks on members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in some parts of the state especially in Ijesaland and Ile-Ife.
Governor Nyesome Wike of Rivers state also voted at his polling station 7 , Ward 9 , Obio/Akpor Local Government on Saturday after being made to wait for two hours because the BVAS malfunctioned .
‘The system is not working well. I waited for about two hours yet the BVAS is still not very functional. I don’t want to begin to suspect any foul play. But the reports I have received from other polling units appear to be the same experience.
You wonder why this should be happening to Rivers State. I don’t want to make any suspicion yet. I don’t think it is encouraging.
I believe they will extend the voting period to 6pm. Most places started at 8:30 but we are just starting. I am not happy with the preparation of INEC’ he said.
Kwara South APC senate candidate, Senator Lola Ashiru, who voted at Polling Unit 006, Ward 3 , Shawo Central , Offa, has submitted that ‘this is better than the previous elections.
‘’It is better organized and seamless but it isn’t really easy for the illiterates because I also had to ask a lot of questions regarding the ballot boxes differentiation.
The logistics and promptness is good and very orderly unlike when there was a quantum of security agencies.
Now people are beginning to understand that voting is their right which should be done without a hindrance’ he said.
Kwara South PDP senate candidate, Alhaji Rafiu Ibrahim, who was at Polling station 005, Ojoku , Oyun local government to cast his ballot , noted that the improvement in technology and logistics had made the election better than what it was in 2019.
He added that the peaceful conduct of the elections showed that Nigerians had been given the opportunity to make a better choice.
‘Accreditation of voters and voting went peacefully, and the BVAS that was introduced made everything fast.
‘The turnout is impressive and there was no sign of apathy’ Ibrahim said- Team@orientactualmags.com
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