Gombe Governor, others applaud INEC, say elections defining Nigeria’s future

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Jibrin Barde; and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader, Khamisu Mailantarki, have commended Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a hitch-free electoral exercise in the state.

The trio, who voted at their various units, told newsmen the exercise would define Nigeria’s democratic future.

Yahaya, at Gombe State School of Science, Jekadafari, said he was pleased with the turnout of voters and level of preparedness by INEC.
He said he had not received report of any incident.
“So far, we have seen a committed outing from INEC and commendable display by our people,” he said.

Barde, at his Bajoga polling unit, told newsmen Nigeria has finally begun a political transition. He hailed the umpire for what he described as: “Nice job from a committed establishment.”
He added: “So far, we are comfortable with INEC’s display, we don’t have any complaint. The best shall emerge after the whole exercise.”

Similarly, Mailantarki expressed confidence in INEC to deliver a faultless polls.
“We don’t know what is likely to happen later in the day, but so far we are satisfied with INEC.”

Meanwhile, voters across the state trooped out en-masse for the exercise.

Some voters at Federal Low-Cost III and II polling units said they arrived at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), the polling centre, as early as 7a.m.,
but our reporter gathered that elections did not start until about 10 a.m.

The late arrival of INEC officials and voting processes was, however, blamed on poor mobility arrangements.