Obasanjo Okays Polls Conduct, Daniel, Paseda List Challenges

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed satisfaction with the accreditation process in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

However, the exercise only received cautious nod from former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and  the Governorship candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in the state, Prince Rotimi Paseda.

Obasanjo expressed his view at the Ward 11, Unit 22 of the Olusomi compound polling centre, Oke – Sokori in Abeokuta where he was accredited for the election.

The former president who arrived at the centre at about 10. 10 a.m was accredited between 10.16 a.m and 10. 17 a.m.

He told newsmen after his accreditation that he was impressed with the process and the orderly conduct of the people.

“What I have seen here is satisfactory and I have also received similar views expressed by people I have talked to,” he said.

Obasanjo said further: “I do hope that the same peaceful situation that obtains here will prevail
in other parts of the country.

“We must allay the fears of those people who thought there would be violence or disturbance regarding this election.

“So I appeal  to all Nigerians to maintain the peaceful process that we have had so far.”

Obasanjo urged those who could not obtain their PVCs to be calm, adding that such situation did not confer any right on them to be violent.

He advised them to be patient and hope that the situation would have improved before the April 11 elections.

Obasanjo who commended INEC observed that it was not possible to have a perfect situation.

Proceedings seemed to be going on peacefully around Sagamu Local Government area of Ogun State at press time.

However, the voters at  Ward 14, Tipper Garage Unit 10 A and B,Sagamu, were experiencing difficulties about their registration.

A man who spoke with journalists at the unit, said:  “We have been around since 7a.m. but electoral officers are yet to decode the card readers due to network failure”

It was later learnt that electoral officers at the polling unit had to resort to manual accreditation as directed by the Supervising Presiding Officer (SPO).

Also, while it worked well at Ward 12, Isote Unit 3, people were seen lamenting that the machine was slow.

Otunba Daniel, was accredited at his Isote Ward.
He arrived in company of his wife, Olufunke, around 10:02 a.m. and left around 10:08 a.m., after the completion of his accreditation.

While speaking to journalists, Daniel said the presidential election would be keen. He also expressed concern over the manner the exercise was being conducted by INEC. Daniel said: “Two wards in Sagamu are yet to collect their PVCs. INEC should have tested the card readers in smaller elections.

“This is a big test for democracy but Nigeria shall come out stronger. What is important is to build our future and younger people should gainfully employed. Any leader who emerges must ensure that the youths are empowered.”

Also, the UPN governorship candidate, Prince Paseda urged INEC to urgently address the challenges encountered during the first elections in the subsequent ones.

He expressed satisfaction with the whole process.