Obasanjo, Osinbajo Express Satisfaction Over Election Conduct

in Ogun

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo and Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, have adjudged the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections in Ogun as smooth and credible.

Osinbajo and Obasanjo expressed their views in separate interviews with journalists after casting their votes in Ikenne and Abeokuta respectively.

Obasanjo, who voted at about 10:32 a.m. at Ward 11, Polling Unit 22, Olushomi Compound, Sokori area of Abeokuta-North, expressed satisfaction at the peaceful and orderly conduct of the polls.

“I think we are getting it through the election in our country.

“One can see things that are encouraging and giving hope for the future as far as the election is concerned, because there are improvements,” he said.

Obasanjo, particularly, commended INEC for the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), saying that technology had improved the voting process.

“I came in and I was checked. I was asked to remove my glasses and the gadget was placed before my face and my picture appeared.

“That is a new one and if that will happen all over the country, I think we are making progress.

“One should encourage and support anything that will help the credibility, integrity and transparency of the electoral process, because credible election is the beginning of good governance of any country,” he said Obasanjo expressed optimism over the outcome of the polls, adding, “my expectation is high”.

Also, Osinbajo, who cast his vote at Unit 014, Ward 1, Ojurege in Ikenne Local Government area of the state, also described the exercise as peaceful.

He expressed hope that the election would be orderly and peaceful across the country.

“This is my polling booth. The Ojurege polling booth is very peaceful.

“You can see the determination and resolve on their faces in an atmosphere of conviviality.

“I hope that it will be the same atmosphere and ambience in every other polling unit,” the minister said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seat of the President, the 109 slots in the Senate and the 360 seats in the House of Representatives were up for grabsli on the first Election Day.

The next Election Day is March 11 when Nigerians will elect new state governors and members of state houses of assembly.

Elections: 23 Suspects Arrested in Lagos – Police Spokesperson

Police command in Lagos State said 23 persons suspected to be involved in electoral violence and other crimes were arrested during the presidential and national assembly elections on Saturday in Lagos.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.

Hundeyin noted that the figure of arrest might increase as the command was still collating the number of suspects arrested in different divisions during the Saturday exercise.

“Collation of suspects arrested ongoing. 23 suspects at last count,” he said.

NAN reports that hoodlums and unknown gunmen allegedly attacked some polling units and disrupted the elections in Mafoluku area and burnt ballot papers thumb printed.

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos, CP Idowu Owohunwa, told newsmen on Saturday that there were pockets of violence in some parts of the state.

Owohunwa said that some persons were arrested, noting that the number of people arrested would be made known to the public.