Many will end up being disenfranchised, says Wada

Idris Wada, governor of Kogi state, has expressed concern over the hitches experienced with some of the card readers at Odu-Ogboyaga in Dekina local government area of the state.

Wada, whose fingerprints were rejected by the card reader, accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of shoddy preparation.

“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,” he said.

“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. 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 fncident 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.”

Meanwhile, Yomi Awoniyi, the deputy governor, commended INEC on the exercise, saying the electoral arrangement in the state was the first of its kind.

He made the commendation shortly after casting his vote at ward 4, unit 4, Mopa in Mopa-Amuro local government area of the state.

“Everything has been calm and peaceful except at ward 7 unit 1, where there was little crisis which has been resolved,” he said.

He urged the people to abide by the electoral laws through voting peacefully.

Awoniyi also said that the PDP would follow due process after the results of the election were announced.

On his part, Abubakar Audu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 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 pm at Ogbonicha ward in Ofu local government area of the state.