President Buhari casting his vote at Daura, Katsina State
By Our Reporter
The 2019 general elections have finally begun with mixed situation from across Nigeria.
The two leading contenders for the Presidency, President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) voted in Daura, Katsina State while Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) voted in at polling unit of Ajiya in Yola North Local Government Area of Yola, Adamawa State.
PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar
But while elections for the Presidency and National Assembly started early in some polling units, others experienced some delays.
Also, there was appreciable compliance of restricted movements in many parts of the country including Abuja, the Federal Capital city.
In Abinsi Ward of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, as at 8:21am, elections officials are yet to arrive at polling units to commence elections.
Mrs Linda Amulah told Apex News that many voters are waiting for INEC staff to arrive from Gbajimba, the local government headquarters.
Reports from the polling unit at the Comprehensive Health Centre, Gura Topp in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State said INEC officials have not arrived as at 9:19am with many voters waiting.
The deserted Solomon Lar Way, Utako, Abuja Saturday
A voter, Mrs Mary Dauda, told our correspondent that electorates at the unit provided seats for the elderly as they await INEC officials.
However, at the polling unit situated at COCIN Church, Dadin Kowa, Jos South Local Government Area in Plateau State was different as accreditation and voting started in time with the elderly and physically-challenged given priority.
A voter at the unit, Emmanuel Akwuchi told Apex News that, the process has been going on peacefully.
At Aduwawa Ward, Uhwonde Local Government Area of Edo State, there was an impressive turn-out with voting materials arriving early and voting commenced at 8am.
At the Eyean Ward 6, voters came out early but voting has not commenced despite early arrival of materials.
Apex News observed that chairs, tables and canopy are yet to be provided.
In some parts of Lokoja and Okene in Kogi State, voting was delayed due to failure of card readers.
In Okene, Governor Yahya Bello of Kogi State was still waiting at his Agasa Uvete polling unit in Okene Local Government Area.
The governor, who arrived at the polling unit with his wife at about 9:35 a.m., could not vote as the card reader failed.
His wife also suffered the same fate so also other voters.
The traffic light junction near Jabi Part along Obafemi Awolowo Way, Jabi, Abuja
Also at Karaworo polling unit in Lokoja, the exercise which commenced at about 8:15 a.m. stopped abruptly when the card reader stopped to function.
At the polling in Ganaja area of Lokoja, voting has not commenced due to non-availability of some sensitive materials.
However, accreditation and voting are underway in Kabawa, Adankolo and Ugwan Kira areas of Lokoja with impressive voters turn out.
In Lagos, INEC officials and material were yet to arrive at the St. Peters Catholic, Nursery and Primary School, Ebute -Metta at 9: 03 a.m.
Voters and security officials were already waiting as early as 8a.m, but no INEC official on ground to attend to them.
A party agent of Nigeria Peoples Congress (NPC), Mr Yusuf Adeniyi, said he was on ground before 8.a.m and except for the security officials, INEC officials are yet to show up.
On movement, security kept watch in many parts of Abuja. Our correspondent observed that at the traffic light junction of Obafemi Awolowo Way and Solomon Lar Way near Jabi Park, Abuja, some police men were stopping and interrogating motorists.
Apex News observed that the policemen were courteous to those they stopped.
Also, according to agency reports, military and security operatives on Saturday morning took over the Abuja-Keffi highway, to enforce the restriction of movement during the presidential and National Assembly elections.
The operatives, who mounted checkpoints at different spots in Mararaba, a suburb of Abuja, subjected road users to thorough search.
For almost an hour, soldiers at the Kugbo military checkpoint blocked the lane leading to the nation’s capital, causing a heavy traffic buildup.
Affected were eligible voters and those on essential duties, including security personnel, election workers and journalists, heading to Abuja.
The soldiers said they were enforcing the restriction on movement.
When reminded that those on essential duties were exempted, they said they were following orders.
They later opened the road following intervention by some individuals believed to be senior security officers.
