Late arrival of INEC personnel, and materials to some parts of the state and late commencement of voting hitches at Registration Area Centre (RAC) peaceful atmosphere, spelling error, logo of party, malfunctioned BIVAS, ballot box snatching characterized the 2023 presidential elections in some constituencies in Kwara state
This include the state governor’s ward, Adewole Idi-Igba, in the Ilorin West local government area of the state.
As at 10:15 am, neither INEC officials nor voting materials were seen at the seven wards of the Alanamu constituency, namely,
Ubandawaki, Ajikobi, Oloje, Ogidi, Oju Ekun/Sarumi, and Adewole wards.
According to some of the enthusiastic electorate spoken with at some of these areas, they said that some party agents had gone to their collation centre located at Adeta Primary school, very close to the community to ascertain the reason for the delay even as the state governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, was yet to get accredited for the presidential election as at 10:20 am as at time of filing the report.
It was also gathered that among the enthusiastic electorate at the areas were aged men and women, youth, just as there was a large number of women waiting to exercise their civic rights.
Also, electorates at polling unit 009 Oke-Ose LGEA primary school Ilorin East local government area of Kwara state also decried the late arrival of INEC personnel, and materials to the polling unit.
The enthusiastic electorates who said they arrived at the polling unit by 7:00am to exercise their franchise expressed displeasure over the late arrival of INEC personnel, and materials to the polling unit till 8:55 when they spoke with newsmen in Ilorin against 8:30 for accreditation
One of the electorates Boluwatife Ayodeji a student in Ilorin said ” presently we are still waiting for the INEC officials we have been here since 8:00 am some of us are here before 8 we are waiting for the INEC officials I would have thought accreditation will start by 8:30 but now we are yet to see any officials we are here before 8:00am if they are here I guest we start soon.
Also, Former senate president,Dr Bukola Saraki after casting his vote express worry over the lateness in the commencement of the exercise but express satisfaction with the conduct
Meanwhile, Peaceful atmosphere and orderliness also characterize the presidential election in most parts of the state
It was gathered that there was a high level of compliance among the people as streets were deserted and vehicles were away from major roads of the state.
It was also gathered that there was enthusiasm on the side of electorate as many of them had come out to exercise their civic rights as early as 8:00 am.
However, investigations gathered that INEC officials and voting materials did not get to many polling booths as at 9:30 am. For instance, Anifowose ward 08, in the Ilorin West local government area of the state, among others.
It was also gathered that commercial activities and transportation of goods and passengers by commercial transporters, as well as free movement were going on in many communities in the interior parts of the state capital during the time of accreditation for the elections.
Meanwhile, thousands of electorate in various polling units in llorin metropolis on Saturday condemned the absence of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) on the ballot papers.
The electorate noted with dismay the missing NNPP logo and name on the ballit papers for the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Some of them, while speaking with newsmen in llorin, described the error as a calculated attempt to cheat the party.
They said the situation had disenfranchised several eligible voters in the state.
Mr Mahmud AbdulRaheem, a former General Manager of both Kwara Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Kwara) and Kwara Television, in an interview with journalists described the omission on the part of lNEC as unfortunate.
AbdulRaheem said he was able to avert a violence planned to be perpetrated by some aggrieved electorate as a result of the situation.
AbdulRaheem, who is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gerin FM in llorin, called on lNEC to urgently correct the situation before the Governorship and State Houses of elections.
Prof. Shuaibu Oba-AbdulRaheem, the Kwara gubernatorial candidate of NNPP who also expressed dissatisfaction in an interview with newsmen in Ilorin alledged that INEC erred on the name of the party and the logo of NNPP.
The governorship candidate however said that the beginning of the exercise was very smooth.
Oba-AbdulRaheem noted with pleasure the large turnout of voters, with their eagerness to exercise their voting rights, but frowned at the mistake made on the ballot paper, in terms of name and party logo.
“NNPP logo appeared very blurred and the name of the party is not the same.
“It is possible that people who can read are looking for the name NNPP but cannot find it and may not actually know the logo.
“The only people that have advantage are those that knows the logo, but cannot see the name of the party beside it,” he said.
Oba-AbdulRaheem said that it was likely for the error to raise a very important national issue, describing it as “a very stupid, irresponsible error on the part of INEC”.
“They should have attached somebody to crosscheck such significant steps taken, but the way it is, we will look at the reaction of the party,” he said.
The gubernatorial candidate however said that two other parties also have issues with their logos appearing blurred on the ballot papers.
“I expect that the people at the national headquarters will take it up with INEC and call their attention to the mistake and know if such mistake can be corrected.
“People have the right to petition, as this is an election, even though it appears very peaceful, the mistake made could cost the nation a very big embarrassment,” he explained.
On his part, the Kwara Central Senatorial candidate of NNPP, Alhaji Abdul Ayelabegan, said that INEC has committed a “monumental error”.
Ayelabegan said that in conducting a very valuable presidential election in Nigeria, many people all over the world await the outcome.
“The name of a very popular candidate is not included, that is NNPP, and the remaining part of the logo is blurry, invariably the party is not ably represented on the ballot paper.
“This means that if NNPP win the election, other party may go to tribunal and challenge the result that the party is not ably represented on the ballot paper,” he said.
Malfucfunctioned Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BIVAS) device in Presidential and national assembly elections was also attributed to the delay of accreditation and voting in some polling units in Kwara south senatorial district particularly in Irepodun local government area of Kwara state despite early arrival of electoral officials and materials.
For instance at Ile- Bale polling unit (002 ) in Ajase- IPO ward 1, in Irepodun local government many prospective voters waited for more than 3 hours after the arrival of electoral officials due to malfunctioned BIVAS.
There are over 800 registered voters at the polling unit which is one of the biggest in terms of population in the ward.
Ninety years old trader , Mallam Saliu Yakubu was among the frustrated voters who waited patiently for more than 3 hours for electoral officials to fix the machine.
A polling official who would not mentioned her name told our correspondent that they eventually fixed the device by “simply removing the batteries and restating saying “It is now working fine.”
She ruled out possibilities of any extension of time but assured that all those on queue as at 2;30pm when the queued is expected to close will be allowed to vote.
Similar situation was recorded at NEPA polling units Ajase ward 1 (006) where officials complain of slow network thereby delaying accreditation and voting.
Meanwhile the Olupo of Ajase- Ipo, Oba Ismail Alebiosun and the chairman of traditional rulers council in entire Igbomina land, has described the excercise as generally peaceful expressing satisfaction with the peaceful manners his subjects have conducted themselves.
He also advised politicians and candidates in the elections” to accept the result of the elections which ever way the pendulum swings ”
The monarch a lawyer by training also expressed optimism that the new electoral law will strengthened democratic process in the country.
Meanwhile, The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kwara, Malam Attahiru Madami, says the Tsaragi Polling Unit 10 result would be cancelled following a case of ballot box snatching by hoodlums on Saturday.
Tsaragi is in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara.
Madami told newsmen in Ilorin that the cancellation was in line the rules guiding the conduct of the elections.
He also attributed late arrival of INEC personnel, and materials to some parts of Ilorin West and subsequent late the commencement of voting hitches at Registration Area Centre (RAC).
“It took us up to 11a.m. before will finished the distribution of logistic and immediately I knew we are starting late. I extended the time of voting until the last person on queue voted”, he said
The REC said out of 2,887 polling units in Kwara only one polling unit had its ballot boxes snatched.
He said it was not true that the commission used vehicles belonging to one of the political parties involved in the election to distribute materials
However, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has expressed satisfaction with voters’ turnouts for the presidential and parliamentary elections, but called on the electoral umpire to quickly work on reports of the BVAS machines malfunctioning in some locations in the state.
The Governor balloted at exactly 1:28p.m. at his Idigba Polling Unit 004 of Adewole Area of Ilorin West, telling reporters he is upbeat about the ruling All Progressives Congress emerging victorious at the elections.
AbdulRazaq expressed satisfaction over the peaceful conduct of the election, a feat for which he commended the security agencies which he said have been up and doing so far.
“It is a good turnout despite the late arrival of INEC materials and malfunctioning of Biomodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines in some areas. Electorate are ready to wait to exercise their franchise,” AbdulRazaq told reporters shortly after casting his ballot alongside his wife, Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq, and members of his immediate family.
“I call on those who are yet to vote to come out and vote. APC will succeed eventually, and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be the next president of Nigeria.
“Security situation is good. Security agencies are doing their best. Things are calm, just like the last elections (2019). But the late arrival of INEC materials may affect voting, and I hope they stay long enough for everyone to vote.” He said
Also, Kwara South Senatorial candidates under All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Lola Ashiru and People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Rafiu Ibrahim and the commissioner for work and transportation Engr Rotimi Iliasu, Political Chieftains in Moro local government area of Kwara State Chief Theophilus Sunday Oyebiyi and Chief Wole Oke have commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the seamless electoral process.
The candidates who spoke with journalists shortly after casting their votes at different polling units said the accreditation and voting processes were better compared to what was obtainable before.
Sen. Ashiru who voted at Polling Unit 006, ward 3 in Shawo Central said comparing the exercise to the last dispensation, this is better off.
”It is better organised and seamless but isn’t really easy for the illiterates because I also had to ask a lot of questions regarding the ballot boxes differentiation.
”The logistics and promptness is good and very orderly unlike when there is quantum of security agencies.
”Now people are beginning to understand that voting is their right which should be done without hindrance,” he said.
Sen. Ashiru however noted that there was still room for improvement
”INEC has done well but a lot still has to be covered because what works well in developed countries might not be very ideal for this place.
”I think we should find a way out because majority of people in Kwara South are not too literate. The process should be more seamless and localised,” he said.
On his part, Sen. Ibrahim who voted in Polling Unit 005, Ojoku ward in Ojoku said the improvement in technology and logistics made the election better than it was in 2019.
He said the peaceful conduct of the elections showed that Nigerians will be given opportunity to make a better choice.
”Accreditation of voters and voting went peacefully, and the BVAS that was introduced made everything fast.
”The turnout is impressive and there was no sign of aparthy,” Ibrahim said.
Kwara State Commissioner for works and transportation Engr Rotimi Iliasu also expressed delight over the peaceful conduct of voters in the presidential and national assembly elections
Speaking with newsmen after casting his vote at LGEA Primary school Olooru polling unit 001 Moro Local government area, expressed satisfaction on the large turn out of voters
He also commended INEC for discharging it’s duty effective urging the electoral umpire to sustain the tempo
Also Speaking, Political Chieftain in Moro local government area of the state
Chief Theophilus Sunday Oyebiyi after casting his vote at Budo-Oke Dispensary Polling Unit 001 in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State also expressed delight over the large turnout of voters
He also expressed satisfaction on the peaceful conduct of the elections in the state
He called on INEC to keep the flag flying just as Chieftain of All progressive Congress APC Chief Wole Oke also expressed joy over the peaceful and large turn out of voters.
Also, the information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed also described the conduct of the presidential election in his country home of Oro, Irepodun local area of Kwara state as peaceful.
He urged Nigerians to resist the temptation of broadcasting or posting unverified results.
The minister who spoke with newsmen shortly after casting his vote in Oro, Irepodun local area of Kwara state said lthe best and most authentic results are from INEC.
Alhaji Mohammed cast his vote around 11:15am at Oro Ward 2 polling unit as he waited patiently on the queue for about an hour.
“The election has been very peaceful, but what has struck me with the turnout the young, the old infirmed, men and women all came out to cast their votes. I think you can see the determination and resolve on the faces of all the voters. They have been very patient and it is an atmosphere of conviviality. I hope and wish this will be the atmosphere in every other polling unit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) House of Representatives candidate Mr Saheed Popoola had alleged the Kwara Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Attahiru Madami, of collusion with Kwara government.
Popoola who is vying to represent Offa/Oyun/Ifelodun Federal Constituency said this in Offa, after casting his vote at Polling Unit 004 Ojomu Central II, Eeso Pataki.
“In Kwara, we want the REC to comply with the law in order not to subvert the will of the people by colluding with the government of the day.
”We have it on good authority, the relationship between REC and the state government and we are not comfortable with them.
”We have written a petition earlier to Abuja because we don’t want any chaos in Kwara.
”People’s will must prevail, the votes must count,” the SDP candidate said.
He however commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the introduction of Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) which made the process seamless.
”So far so good, the introduction of BVAS is a mileage in the history of our democracy.
”It has helped because I didn’t spend up to three minutes for accreditation and voting which is an improvement to what we used to have,” he said.
Popoola also noted that there was no voter aparthy as the turn out was impressive.
”The turnout is okay and not different from what we used to have but what is making it look as if it’s low is because accreditation and voting is done together.
”Unlike before that you accredit and come back to vote. Now people get accredited, they vote and they leave,” he said.
Meanwhile, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Kwara State, Malam Attahiru Garba Madami, said the commission has extended the ongoing voting exercise to 6:00pm in Ilorin West local government area.
He attributed the decision to late commencement of the voting process in many polling unit in the Local Government.
Also, the PDP House of Representatives candidate for Ilorin West/Asa federal constituency, Alhaji Ibrahim Ajia, had alleged an attempt to particularly favour national assembly candidates of the ruling party contesting for the green chambers.
According to him, “The process is not as agitated by INEC because a lot of things didn’t go the way we expected. The BIVAS was not working well and there was a delay in the arrival of material for about three hours at Magaji Ngeri constituency.
“At Ode Alausa polling unit, Ballot paper for presidential and senate were about 800 each, whereas that of the House of Representatives were just 10. The people raised an alarm and voting could not start. Same thing in Baboko. So there was a deliberate attempt and targeted coordinated efforts on the candidates of the House of Representatives “, he added.
Speaking with newsmen, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Mallam Attahiru Garba Madami, said “Yes, it’s true that we have extended the exercise due to late start in the entire Ilorin West local government area. We started very late due to logistics problems. So we extended voting till 6:00pm till everybody in the queue has voted”.
On the issue of shortage of ballot papers raised by the PDP House of Representatives candidate for Ilorin West/Asa, Alhaji Ibrahim Ajia, the REC said “I have directed my Electoral Officer (EO) to handle the issue”, he added.
While announcing the results of the elections at the moment of filling this report, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared Member, representing Ekiti, Isin, Irepodun and Oke-Ero Federal Constituency of Kwara (APC) Tunji Olawuyi has been reelected as a member representing Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin and Oke-ero Federal Constituency of Kwara state
Dr Nurudeen Bello, the returning officer for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) made the anouncement at the collation centre in OmuAran on Sunday.
Declaring the official result, Bello said out of the 59075 accredited Voters, the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled a total of 22, 140, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 19,092.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) polled a total 9331.
While Sen. Lola Ashiru representing Kwara South Senatorial District of Kwara (APC) has been reelected for another term in office.
Prof Ajibola Akanbi, the returning officer for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) made the anouncement at the collation centre in OmuAran
Declaring the official result, Akanbi said Sen. Lola Ashiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled a total of 55966, while Sen. Rafiu Ibrahim of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 34950
Prof Wale Suleiman of Social Democratic Party (SDP) polled a total 24215 to come third in the keenly contested election.
It was gathered that election in the district was relatively peaceful across the seven local government areas.
It would be recalled that late arrival of officials from Offa and Oyun local government areas delayed the announcement of the result on Sunday.
Also, the Turaki of Ilorin and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mallam Saliu Mustapha, has been declared the winner of the 2023 Kwara Senatorial District.
The INEC Collation and Returning officer for Kwara Central Senatorial District, Professor Abdullahi Saliu Abubakar, who announced the results declared the candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Mallam Saliu Mustapha, who polled a total of one hundred and nine thousand, eight hundred and twenty-three (109,823) to defeat his closest rival from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who polled Sixtynine thousand two hundred and two (69,202).
Dr. Ridwan Apaokagi of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, came third with a total of thirteen thousand one hundred and ninety
