Jonathan, First Lady Accredited on Self Recognition

Contrary to earlier indications, President Goodluck Jonathan was not accredited even after a fourth card reader was produced for him at his Otuoke, Bayelsa State polling booth.

The First Lady was also not accredited, owing to the failure of the card readers to function.

The First Family thereafter left for their home. As disclosed in an interview by the helmsman of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Ima Niboro, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, consequently instructed the electoral officers to register the President and the First Lady on self recognition.

Niboro told newsmen that the self-recognition was, however, not to be extended to others who might have the same challenge.

The President and his wife thereafter returned to the booth and were manually accredited.

Responding to inquiries from newsmen about the hiccup, President Jonathan expressed hopes that the challenge might be isolated and urged Nigerians to exercise patience and give the necessary support to INEC.