Nigerians across the country came out on February 25, 2023, to vote in the presidential polls.
The number of voters in some states was high, while a few recorded low turnouts.
We have put together some events that occurred nationwide during the presidential polls.
Late Arrival Of INEC Officers
Some Nigerians had earlier expressed fears that the election could be postponed, citing a few issues around logistics and security.
But INEC made good its promise to hold the election, even though there were irregularities.
In several polling units and states, late arrival of polling materials and the ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) slowed the process.
The officials cited logistics issues and late delivery of sensitive materials to council areas.
This tallies with fears that some Nigerians had put forward.
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Some others that arrived early could not start the election process in time because of several issues including malfunction of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machine.
INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, acknowledged the late arrival of electoral officials and materials in many polling units across Nigeria.
He said the commission would resolve the problem by ensuring that anyone that was in the queue by 2:30PM would be allowed to vote, no matter how long it takes.
According to him, the delay of the commencement of voting in some parts of Niger State was due to an attack by bandits in the area.
Despite this, voting in some areas commenced and has successfully rounded up and counting has started.
Party Thugs Across Nigeria
INEC chairperson has confirmed that thugs attacked two different polling units in two states in Nigeria during the presidential polls.
He said they stole at least eight BVAS machines during the attack.
Mr. Yakubu, who briefed journalists in Abuja, said voting continued in the two polling areas as backup BVAS machines were provided.
Party thugs were also captured in footage online, threatening voters in the Surulere area of Lagos to cast their votes for their party or not bother voting at all.
In Kogi State, operatives of the Nigerian Army gunned down an unknown ballot thief at Ogege Road, Odaba polling unit in Dekina ward.
Voters in the area were said to have fled from the voting arena following the activities of political thugs who came in large numbers to destroy voting materials.
Similarly, two people were reportedly killed in the Ndi Agwu community in Abam, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State.
According to reports, one of the victims, identified as Samuel Arunsi Eze was said to have been beheaded by a political thug known as Daniel Mgba.
In the Lekki area of Lagos too, the polling unit outside the Oba Elegusbi Palace in Ikate, Eti-Osa, was attacked by thugs.
The hoodlums reportedly attacked the area on Saturday afternoon carting away ballot boxes.
They also chased away the INEC presiding officer for the polling unit.
Police Did Nothing
A resident in the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “The information I’m getting is that the violence erupted outside the Oba’s palace.
“The ballot boxes were snatched and everybody ran away. Thugs are still hanging around the area”.
Also, a Twitter influencer, Samuel Otigba, who voted in the polling unit inside the palace tweeted: “The vote outside the palace was scattered by area boys. Ballot box was taken, with the presiding officer chased away.
“They just physically assaulted @EditiEffiong because he was videoing the whole thing.
“He tried running into the palace when they saw & chased him but they locked the gate.
“This is madness. The police officers here just stood & did nothing.
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“They took his phone and deleted the video.
“I was outside when they chased and assaulted @EditiEffiong, tried recording but they are beating anyone recording here and taking your phone if they spot you”.
PDP Campaign DG Arrested With 100,000 Naira In Benue
In Benue State, the story is different and it is all about vote buying.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested a Director General of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council.
The campaign DG, Cletus Tyokyar, was arrested in Benue state for being in possession of some money.
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom confirmed that the party DG campaign was arrested within the local government.
He accused the anti-graft agency as an agent of destabilisation stating that what was found on him was a pantry sum of 100,000 Naira.
“This is a shame, the EFCC officials this morning in Guma here arrested our DG campaign because they found just 100,000 Naira on him.
“EFCC is becoming an agent of destabilisation.
“Why should they pick somebody because of 100,000 Naira? Personally, I have more than that.”Ortom said at the Guma local government area of the state.
The EFCC has said the case is under investigation and may release more information soon.
Buhari Condemned For Showing Ballot Paper
In Katsina, President Muhammadu Buhari, voted, but also offered Nigerians something to talk about.
His action after voting has been condemned by social media users for showing his ballot paper.
Mr. Buhari after voting in his polling unit in Daura, Katsina state, showed his ballot paper to the press.
A picture of him holding it was taken and posted online and this has been condemned by social media users who said he failed to follow the electoral demands of a secret ballot.
However, the president said he showed his bailout paper to show loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
INEC Postpones Election In 141 Polling Units
Furthermore, in Imo State, voters will have to come another day to participate in the presidential polls, a situation that could make INEC declare the Saturday election inconclusive.
Elections in 141 polling units in Imo state scheduled to hold today have been postponed.
The INEC Chairman announced this in Abuja, on Saturday.
Following the announcement, the presidential and national assembly elections would now hold tomorrow.
