Finally, the elections are here and Nigerians have cast their votes; even though voting continues in some states of the federation, due to some pockets of violence and delays experienced in Saturday’s elections.
However, in most areas where voting was completed, the general conduct of the people was peaceful and calm. And the votes were counted and results called, in what many see as one of the tightest and most keenly contested elections in recent times in the history of the country.
For the first time in decades, the turn-out was high, consisting of many young, first-time voters who came out early enough in their numbers to cast their votes.
The election is seen as one of the biggest democratic exercise in Africa with about 87.5million registered voters, the highest ever since 1999.
Prior to this time, politics in Nigeria has always been between two major political parties, but there is a third force that appears to have caught the attention of the youths and is viewed by many as the game changer.
With the results trickling in many are optimistic that the third party Labour party, will give the two older parties; the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, and the main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, a run for their money.
Final results are however expected by Tuesday after the elections billed to be held on Sunday in areas where elections and voting were marred by violence and delays.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC announced the suspension of the voting exercise in the affected areas and extended the period of voting to Sunday the 26th of February to ensure that no one is disenfranchised and that all votes are counted.
The affected areas where the election process will continue are :
Lagos – Surulere, Ikate, Okota, Eti-Osa, Kosofe and Oshodi
FCT Abuja
Eboinyi
Rivers
Imo
Ananbra
Kano
Edo
Others are:
Delta, Kogi, Bayelsa, Enugu, Sokoto, Taraba, Aba and Ekiti
Voting is expected to resume at 8:00am till 12:00pm
Meanwhile, Professor Pat Utomi, a renowned economist and the Convener of BIG TENT, a Coalition of Political Parties, Social Movements and Civil Society Organisations for Peter Obi and Baba Ahmed Datti, has criticized INEC for not uploading the results as they come thereby raising fears of possibility of doctoring the original results.
He spoke on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday, adding that for too long politics have been made too attractive for criminally-minded people, thus making the Nigeria state almost a criminal enterprise.