2015 Poll: Our Democracy Is Maturing, Says Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has commended Nigerians for conducting credible elections in 2015, saying that the feat has now showed that the country’s democracy is truly maturing.

Obasanjo, who noted that the Governorship and House of Assembly elections is characterised by low voter turn-out, said the development should be expected because people normally show more interest in national elections than the state elections.

The former president made the declaration while speaking with journalists shortly after he was accredited at Ward 11, Polling Unit 22 at Sokori area of Abeokuta South local government.

Obasanjo stated that the success of the 2015 general elections was an evidence that the democracy of Nigeria is maturing.

“We have done it for West Africa, we have done it for Africa and we have now done it for ourselves,” he said, adding: “Nigerians can now raise their heads in honour anywhere because there are evidences that our democracy is fast maturing”.

He, nonetheless, adjudged the exercise as largely successful.

“The reports that got to me indicate that there is a general low turn – out across the nation, but that the exercise has been orderly and peaceful”.
The former president commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for improving on its performance at the presidential and National Assembly (NASS) elections, noting that many people who did not have PVCs in this area had now gotten their cards.

“There were apprehensions concerning the polls because of some people who were beating drums of war but we thank God for taking control. I think on the whole, Nigerians should be proud of their performance,” he said.

The former president  also attributed the low turn out to apathy from ‎those whose candidates lost  in the last election who were not ready to go extra mile to vote this time around.

He gave instance of a neighbour of his who he said travelled to Lagos on the March 28 presidential election to vote for his candidate  but didn’t go for the Governorship election, because ‎ that candidate lost the election.

“The turnout from the information gathered across the country compared with the presidential election was lower compared to the presidential election”.

The Daily Times observed voter-apathy in many of the polling booths monitored at the Remo area of Ogun State.

INEC’s services improved as card readers functioned well in many of the areas visited.

There was also early arrival of personnel and materials at many of the polling booths visited by our correspondents.

Speaking to reporters after his accreditation, the newly elected House of Representatives member for Remo federal Constituency, Ladi Adebutu, said that in spite of the low turn out, his party, the PDP, would win the elections.

His words: “PDP is the biggest party in the state, the most successful party today. However there has been all manner of manipulations and intimidation by the APC here, particularly threat of violence and violence itself in the state fostered by the APC, but I can assure you the PDP is going to win the elections”.

He continued: “The people of this state are disenchanted, we are overburdened by terrible loans and the state is in a general state of malaise and total loss of hope. Our people by the end of this exercise would have spoken clearly that truly we need change in Ogun State.
“I don’t know the magic wand INEC used now to ensure that the card reader works well. Was it deliberate? I don’t know, because I get accredited within 10 minutes  unlike two weeks ago when we had to spend over 10 minutes.”