The Kogi state Deputy Governor, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the smooth conduct of the governorship election in the state.
He made the commendation shortly after casting his vote at Ward 4, Unit 4, Mopa in Mopa-Amuro Local Government Area of the state.
Awoniyi, who cast his votes at about 1.42 p.m., said that the electoral arrangement in the state was the first of its kind, noting that ‘’ everything has been calm and peaceful except at ward 7 Unit 1, where there was little crisis which has been resolved’’.
He urged the people of the state to abide by the electoral laws by voting peacefully.
The deputy governor said that the PDP would follow due process after the results of the election were announced.
However, Gov. Idris Wada has expressed concern over the hitches experienced with some of the card readers in at Odu-Ogboyaga in Dekina Local Government of the state.
He expressed the concern shortly after completing the processes of accreditation.
‘’A situation where in a single election in one day, card readers are disappointing us in spite of INEC’s postulations that it has provided backups, is unfair.
“There are so many people here; they are going to be disenfranchised. It is completely unfair.
‘’It is wrong. They say they have few Incidence Forms; there is no photo copy machine here. How are people going to vote?
“It seems to be a deliberate attempt to frustrate the whole process.
‘’I am going to call the REC immediately here and I hope they will do something about it.
‘’This is because most Nigerians are looking forward to this election
“My wife’s voter card was recognised and her name is on the register but they did not find her name on the sheet they are using. So, she had to fill the Incident Form.
“I don’t know what is going on but I will not rush to make judgment but I just hope the authorities are hearing and I hope they will take immediate action.
‘’This is because this election is a litmus test on Nigeria’s democracy.
‘’There is a lot of enthusiasm on the part of the people”, he said.
Meanwhile INEC’s Presiding Officer for Odu Ward 1, Unit 001, Mr Yahaya Nuhu, said the accreditation was smooth in spite of the hitches with the card readers.
In a related development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate, Alhaji Abubakar Audu, has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election so far.
He gave his impression about the election shortly after casting his vote at about 1.45 p.m. at Ogbonicha ward in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.