Plateau Governor, Simon Bako Lalong, was among Nigerians that cast their votes on Saturday, during the 2023 Nigeria’s elections.
He voted at exactly 11: 14am at his polling unit, Ajikamai 015, LEA Primary School Nyak, Ajikamai.
After voting in company of his wife, Regina, and daughter Stephanie, he expressed happiness that the entire process in the state is going on peacefully, based on security reports that were made available to him by security agencies.
Lalong while speaking to newsmen after exercising his franchise expressed optimism that his party the All Progressives Congress (APC) will win the Presidential elections.
However apart from the currency challenges caused by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Naira redesign policy which has affected the people, and smooth running of the electoral process, Lalong said the people in his state are passionate about their country and have come out peacefully to vote.
“As you can see, I am in my village at Nyak Ajikamai to vote and from what I have seen in my ward, people are passionate and are voting,” he said.
He praised INEC and security agencies for their job in the electoral process, and appreciated Plateau people for supporting him and his party the APC in the elections stating further that he is optimistic that the elections will favour his party.
He however said he will accept the outcome of the elections in good faith because at the end of the day, whoever emerges as president of Nigeria should be supported.
A domestic election observer at the polling unit, Mr. Arinze Eze, participating under a Civil Society Organisation created by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) tagged Center for Strategy, Ethics and Value, who was at the poling unit said the voting process has been going on as expected, although actual accreditation and voting started late, by 10:00 am due to late arrival of materials.
He disclosed that there is an excellent security arrangement, while priority has been given to People with Disabilities (PWDs) and vulnerable groups.
“I observed that a physically challenged person came on a bike and rode straight to the front of the long queue of voters, where he was attended to immediately by the electoral officers”, said the elections observer.
