Gov. Mohammed promises to accept election results as voters shun polling units in Niger
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has said he would accept the outcome of the polls while commending the Independent National Electoral Commission for the improvement in the governorship and State Assembly elections on March 18.
Mohammed stated this in an interview with journalists shortly after casting his vote at Bakin Dutse Polling Unit 008, in Yelwan Duguri, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
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He said INEC had done very well saying he was impressed with the conduct in his area.
“My village is about 120 kilometres from the Bauchi metropolis and I saw people coming out en masse, so the turnout is very impressive. I hope the higher the turnout, the more votes for me. I wouldn’t say and I cannot predict what would happen.
“Everything appears to be peaceful, people are looking so joyous and exhilarated and I feel that this is the kind of situation we need all over the country – people exercising their universal suffrage without any hindrance, acrimony or conflict. We’re very grateful to God.
In another development, the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections in parts of Minna and environs in Niger State capital have experienced voter apathy as compared to the February, 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.
A visit by DAILY POST to various polling units showed that voting materials and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, ad hoc staff were on the ground, as early as 8 am.
In most of the polling units, the electorates did not turn out, especially in Bosso, Tunga, Barikin Sale, Kpakungu, Maitumbi and Sabongari areas among others.
Also, in some areas, aside from the low turnout, there was little or no presence of security agencies.
Some of the voters who spoke to journalists noted that they were not prepared to come out to vote out of the belief that their votes would not count as the BVAS machines were not used in the last elections.
Mohammed Nuhu of Bachita polling unit in Tunga said, ”The last time we voted it did not count. The question is will this one count? We are tired of coming out after the pains we went through”.
