#NigeriaDecides2023: Buhari votes in Daura

President Muhammadu Buhari has cast his vote at Sarkin Yara ‘A’ polling unit in Daura metropolis.

He was accompanied to the polling unit by his wife, Haj. Aisha Buhari, Presidential Media Adviser, Malam Garba Shehu and some of the President’s aides.

Shortly after casting his vote, the president called on Nigerians to exercise their franchise while giving them the assurance that their votes will count.

He noted that his administration has taken measures to curtail vote-buying which has been a bottle neck to free and fair election in the past.

He explained that the BVAS device introduced by INEC has made the accreditation of voters seamless and the voting process speedy, thereby decongesting the polling units.

He said the BVAS machine and the cashless were some of the measures that will guarantee credible elections by minimizing election malpractice.

President Buhari also called on prospective voters across the country to vote for credible persons in all executive and legislative positions.

Meanwhile the President voted for APC candidates in the Presidential and National Assembly elections as he displayed each of the ballot papers to the crowd before inserting in into the ballox box.

Our correspondent reports that there was modest security presence in Sarkin Yara’A’ and other polling units in Daura metorpolis.

The All Progressive Congress (APC), Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has also voted alongside his polling unit at Alausa in Ikeja, Lagos state.

Tinubu was accompanied by his wife, Remi.

Addressing reporters, he said “democracy is here to stay” in Nigeria and that he is “too confident of victory”.

He said the voting process is “going smoothly” and “going well”.

On the turnout of voters, the APC candidate said, “This is expected, we need a good turnout and that is the adoption and the commitment to democracy and the democratic process must take place.”

Asked how certain of victory he is, Tinubu said, “I’m too certain.”

Lai Mohammed, Gambari cast votes

In Oro Irepodun local government area of Kwara state the Honorable Minister of Information and Culture , Alhaji Lai Muhammed had joined the queue for accreditation and voting.

However the Chief of Staff to the president Professor Ibrahim Gambari has just cast his vote at his Akanbi 4, in Ilorin south local government area of Kwara state.

PDP vice presidential candidate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, votes at the Eghoma Primary School Owa Alero Polling unit 17 in Agbor Local Government Area of Delta State on February 25, 2023.

He exercised his franchise in the Agbor area of the state as the elections were underway on Saturday.

Addressing journalists after voting, Okowa said he is optimistic about the victory of the PDP in the elections.

This is coming few minutes after his principal, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar cast his vote in Adamawa.

Gbajabiamila cast vote

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr Femi Gbajabiamila has cast his vote at some minutes pass eleven at Elizabeth Fowler Primary School, Mercy Eneli street, Surulere area.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after exercising his franchise, Mr Gbajabiamila described the exercise peaceful, hailed residents for comporting themselves orderly while exercising their franchise.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives who hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission for arriving their various polling units, commended security agents for maintaining law and order.

Correspondent Taoreed Abdullahi reports that the residents troop out in their various polling units to exercise their franchise.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo, have cast their votes in polling unit 14 in the presidential and National Assembly elections holding across the country.

The vice president and his wife, both from Ikenne, voted at Polling Unit 14, Egunrege, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun state..

Speaking with newsmen, Osinbajo said he was impressed with the conduct of the exercise at the unit.

Smooth process

The Labour Party (LP), presidential candidate, Peter Obi has cast his vote at polling unit 19 in the Agulu area of the Aniocha Local Government Area of Anambra State in Nigeria’s South-East geopolitical zone.

Obi and his wife Margaret cast their vote after following the voting queue for about 30 minutes.

In his Twitter handle the LP presidential candidate said “My dear wife and I have now cast our votes for a New Nigeria at 11:42am in Agulu. It was a smooth process in my polling unit. However, I have received reports of delays in delivery of voting materials nationwide.”

Nigerians are set for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for today, Saturday, February 25.

The atmosphere appears calm and peaceful, with no visible signs of tension or unrest.

INEC Officials and adhoc staff were seen with electoral materials in places where Radio Nigeria visited, as some voters were already on the ground at various polling units as early as 7:00am this morning.

Radio Nigeria correspondents observed similar preparations across the country.

From Kano

Residents of Kano Municipal Local Government Area as early as 7 O’clock this morning started reporting at their polling unit awaiting the arrival of voting materials at Tukuntawa Primary polling unit.

Police personnel were said to have arrived the polling unit at 7:46 am

In Anambra State

Materials have arrived ward two polling unit 019 Amatutu, Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.

This is where the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi will be casting his vote soon.

Some voters have also come out; ready to cast their votes.

The area is peaceful and calm.

Reporting by Uche Ndeke

From Ebonyi

Distribution of electoral materials to various polling units in Ebonyi are currently ongoing at various Registration Area Centres (RACs) across the state.

As early as 7am our correspondent visited one of the RACs located in Station Urban Primary school and Presbyterian Church in Abakaliki, the state capital, electoral materials were being distributed to various polling units by INEC ad-hoc staff with presence of security agents.

13,800 voters are expected to cast their votes in the RAC.

The Registration Area Centres has 23 polling units.

Reporting by Amechi Odo

In Edo

Registration Area Centre, RAC for Ward 1-4 in Etsako West Local Area where election materials are sorted out for onward distribution to polling units.

Reporting by Victor Adefemi

Kaduna

Voting is yet to commence at LEA Kinkinau ward polling unit in Tudun Wada district of Kaduna South LGA Kaduna State.

As at 9:50 am polling agents are yet to arrive at the polling unit.

However, a handful of voters were seen patiently waiting for voting materials.