Accreditation ongoing at the polling unit
By Jon Egie
The presidential and national assembly election slated for February 25 held as scheduled with an overall assessment of the exercise rated as peaceful and credible.
In Ughelli, Delta State, voting materials were despatched to the polling units at about 900am.
At the old post office polling unit of ward 2/6, accreditation and voting commenced simultaneously at about 1050 am and voting went on smoothly.
Before voting commenced, a team of EFCC agents stormed the polling unit to retell their story of no giving and no receiving money for vote buying and vote selling. They released a phone number to report anyone attempting to buy votes. The voters hailed their presence and gladly tested the phone number to confirm it would not be switched off when they would be needed to intervene in case a vote buyer emerged.
Security personnel drawn from the Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Civil Defence Corp were on ground to ensure hitch-free voting process.
Electorates were enthusiastic and determined to exercise thier franchise.
Initial difficulty experienced by the INEC officials in the take off of the exercise was overcome when the BVAS machine started working properly
Pst Stokemin Obus of Winners Chapel, Main District Ughelli in an interview expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election.
” I am very happy that I could vote for my choice candidates. I am impressed by the orderly manner the voters conducted themselves. This is the most peaceful election ever. The presence of the EFCC and security personnel helped a lot even though the policemen were not carrying guns.
“I commend the Buhari administration for this feat, at least, if this is the only legacy he is leaving behind it is okay.”
He encouraged the federal government to repeat the same discipline and order, peace and credibility in the Governorship and state houses of assembly election slated for March 11 so that people will also come out and vote their choice candidates.
He said if at the end of the day, the election results reflected the will of the people then trust in government woudl be rebuilt.
He advised voters to ensure that they verified their polling units days before the election day to avoid confusion experienced by some voters on Election Day.
A priest of the Ughelli Diocese, Anglican Communion, Revd Canon Oghenekevwe Edwin also rated the election as free and fair.
” It is peaceful and orderly and I believe it will be so too in other polling units accross Nigeria.”
He commended the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari for the peaceful conduct of the election.
” This has not happened in the history of Nigeria. I believe Buhari wants to leave a legacy so that his past sins will be forgiven. I pray that the next election is also peaceful, I call on Nigerians to maintain the peace as they have shown today in the next election. As it is, whatever results INEC declares will be accepted because I see the election as credible.”
Mr Brukpere Enameguono Emmanuel, an Ughelli based businessman said he has been voting at the polling unit since 1999.
“Today’s election is one I see as very peaceful, free and fair just like the election of Abiola that was annulled. I pray the results of this election will not be annulled. I give credit to President Buhari and INEC Chairman, Prof Yakubu Mahmoud, the security agencies , the media and all others that contributed to the success of the election. They all did well and I thank God for a clement weather”
An Ibo businessman, Mr Ogu Christian, in his remarks shortly after casting his votes said: ” Today vote fine well well, them organize well. This is the best of all. I have been voting here since 1999 and this election is the best. I thank INEC for a good job.”
He reserved his gratitude to President Buhari because of the cash crunch resulting from the naira notes swap.
“Buhari tried small, he tried for late hour. I thank ourselves for making effort to come out to vote for our choice candidates”.
A wife to an Anglican priest, Mrs Ehru Charity who travelled all the way from Ovara-Orogun to cast her vote at the polling unit also rated the election as good.
“I had the opportunity to vote candidates of my choice without stress. I maneuvered to come despite the cash crunch, I made the sacrifice because I have to join others to change Nigeria. I am tired of kidnapping, Boko Haram, Herdsmen and other troubles in the country. I am sure the will of God will prevail after the election.” She enthused.
Very old women who came to vote showed determination and conviction on the candidates of their choice as they never allowed any guide to lead them astray from their desired candidates party logos.
As at the time of going to press, voting was still in progress.
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