By Michelle Chidi in Lagos
SUN. 26 FEB, 2023-theGBJournal| Nigerian voters waited to count their votes alongside officials in Saturday’s general elections, braving the unfriendly weather in some parts of the country and political thugs- mostly in Lagos.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to begin the release of official results of the Presidential and National Assembly elections later today.
Early results from across the country indicates a tight race between the three main contenders, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party Nigeria.
In LAGOS political thugs brutalized and tested the resolve of the voters to limit. A young woman (names withheld) became the symbol of the resolve to ‘’make the vote count.’’ She was beaten, eyes bulging and bloodied and almost unable to walk. But Nigerians came to her aid. Treated her and led her to cast her vote.
Many Nigerians favour Obi to succeed Muhammadu Buhari as the next President of Nigeria, and indications are that he has taken a commanding lead in the Southern part of the country and has scored nearly 25% in some states in the North.
Observers say they were in awe at the now-savvy Nigerian voters, mostly young Nigerians who have been starved of their future by ‘’greedy, old political whores’’ who for decades have stolen national elections by rigging.
‘’The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) broke the jinx,’’ one highly elated voter told the G&BJournal in Lagos late last night. ‘’It destroyed the incentive to steal ballot boxes, buy votes and allocate votes,’’ he said.
Up until 2 am today, most of the results were still being counted, mostly in areas where the electoral materials and INEC officials arrived very late to the polling unit-and they were several across the country.
INEC, as result of the hiccups and disruptions in some parts of the country, including Bayelsa and Edo States, will continue the voting process today.
The Chairman of the Commission, Mahmood Yakubu announced Saturday the extension after receiving reports of security concern, stollen BVAS machines (6) and logistical difficulties.
In Lagos, The INEC boss said they have been closely following the situation Okota, Mafoluku, Oshodi and Elegushi, and they have been able to normalize the situation in a number of places including Ikate where voting took place after huge disruptions by political thugs.
The Chairman said the Commission has met with security personnel in a bid to strengthen security for the next phase of the process, which is the collation of the results in locations where voting has been concluded at the polling units.
In Edo state, the elections in Esan North, Esan South and Igueben have been suspended and the INEC Chairman said the ballot papers will be reprinted and the election in those areas will now hold alongside the State Constituency elections on the 11th of March, 2023.
The suspension follows the absence of the logo of one of the political parties whose name appeared on the result sheet in a Federal Constituency. INEC says it will correct the discrepancy.
Meanwhile, there are widespread reports of attempts to sell stolen voter cards and vote buying but the security agencies have also worked hard to wade off the attempts.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), arrested three persons in Benin City, Edo State, for being in possession of several permanent voter cards.
One of the suspects, Afekhana Esther, was arrested at Ward 1, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Ikpoba Okha, Benin City with 20 PVC belonging to different people.
She claimed that the cards were handed over to her by the duo of Comfort Muoneke, a 73-year-old woman and Segun Osaimokhai.
‘’The suspects have made useful statements and will be arraigned in court as soon as the investigation is completed,’’ the EFCC said.
Twitter-@theGBJournal| Facebook-the government and Business Journal|email:gbj@govbusinessjournal.ng|govandbusinessj@gmail.com
