Low voter turnout was observed in two more polling units in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State on Saturday.
Our correspondent observed that at open space under mango tree, opp. Kenwon Hotel polling unit 073 with expected 314 voters; the voters who cast their votes as of the time of filing this report were just 65.
Also, in Under Tree by Jane Palace Hotel, Moremi Area polling unit with 477 expected voters, voters were seen in their low numbers.
Our correspondent also gathered that there was vote-buying at open space under mango tree, opp. Kenwon Hotel polling unit 073 as money was given to the electorate after voting.
Meanwhile, an election observer, Stephen Ojo, of the Christian Association of Nigeria has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission and the security agencies for the peaceful and timely conduct of the Kogi State governorship poll.
Ojo spoke to journalists at the Anagbe Mech/Moremi Rest Open Space, near mechanic polling unit 008 with expected 750 registered voters on Saturday.
He noted that INEC officials and election materials arrived on time with the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System working perfectly.
Ojo said, “So far, I must commend INEC and security agencies for this 2023 governorship poll in Kogi state.
“I have observed that the BVAS is working well and INEC officials arrived early enough.
“There is peace for now in Lokoja. Thanks to the security personnel.”
Our correspondent observed that there was a low turnout of voters in the above polling unit at the time of filing this report (10:37 am).
However, the outgoing Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has said that he would be leaving the state better than he met it.
Bello who was speaking shortly after casting his ballot at his Agaza country home in Okene on Saturday, also awarded pass marks to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Security agencies, and the people for ensuring peaceful conduct at the election.
He said, “You have seen for yourself how peaceful we have been conducting ourselves since voting started, that shows that the adverse Security image being peddled by the outside world is a creation of the media and a figment of the imagination of those who do not want anything good in our state.”
He added, “The new direction administration I headed has decimated all security challenges which were the order of the day before we came on board, right now there is nothing like Boko Haram in the state, and people can now sleep with their eyes closed.
“I am not a violent person, all the elections I have been involved in have been contested up to the Supreme Court and each time, I have been victorious.”
He expressed confidence that his successor would build on the solid foundations he had laid in the last eight years.
He urged the people to keep on exhibiting the highest point of orderliness adding, “On arriving at the polling unit, queue up, wait for your turn, cast your vote and ensure that your vote is counted and leave the rest to those in charge.”
