Independent National Electoral Commission in Niger State commenced the distribution of sensitive materials for the Presidential and National Assembly elections as early as 8:30am at the polling units in Bosso Local Government Area.
Our correspondent observed that EFCC and other security personnel including vigilantes were sighted in most polling units within Minna metropolis carrying out their duties hence the peaceful conduct in the units visited.
INEC had earlier said that there will be no voting in ten polling units in the state which include 2 in Kontagora, 4 in Mashegu and 4 in Magama LGAs who have zero polling units due to insecurity.
A visit to Sarki One Bosso Central, 2 polling units, Bosso City junction 023 and Filling Car wash Limawa A in Chanchaga Local Government, it was observed that accreditation and voting were going on simultaneously under tight security.
Some voters who could not be accredited through BVAs lamented that they were being disfranchised because they were denied manual accreditation to enable them vote. They pointed out that some voters’ names could not be found in their original unit hence the difficulties experienced.
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has cast his vote for the Presidential and National Assembly elections at his polling unit; 004 Alkali Mustapha in Kontagora.
Governor Bello arrived at the Polling Unit along with his wife, Dr. Amina Abubakar Bello who also cast her vote.
The Governor said that the use of Biomodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has made the system simpler and commended the process.
At Kofar Audi Bunu Unit Chanchaga Local Government, the former Niger State Governor, Doctor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu alongside his wife Hajiya Jumai Babangida Aliyu cast their votes around 10:30am.
Speaking with newsmen after casting his vote, Doctor Aliyu expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the people, adding that this should be reflected across the country as such is building the culture of democracy.
At the Uphill Polling Water Tanker Unit (020) where the two former military president and Head of state (General Babangida and General Abdulsami) usually vote, General Abdulsalam Abubakar in an interview after casting his vote applauded the peaceful conduct and urged Nigerians to vote for their conscience and contestants should accept the outcome.
Niger State Resident Electoral Commission REC, Ahmed Yusha’u Garki after monitoring of the election exercise in Bosso, Chanchaga and Paikoro local government areas expressed satisfaction with the exercise. He called for patience with the process which he assured would be improved upon during the next elections.
