Razak Atunwa, Kwara PDP guber candidate
This smirks of intimidation; with this it seems we are in war zone, but we are not. It shows they want to use force to intimidate our people.
The way the security are going about the election indicates subtle intimidation. We also saw the arrest of Senator representing Kwara South Senatorial District, Dr Rafiu Ibrahim. I am not particularly impressed with the situation.
The people have decided on the way to vote and have remained resolute to discharge their civic responsibility despite the fact that last Saturday, the elections were postponed. I commend the electorate for coming out.
Dr Ali Ahmad, KWHA Speaker
As far as my ward is concerned, the exercise was okay then. Though there were little hitches. The voting just finished about 10minutes ago in my unit in Ilorin South. I don’t want to say INEC is colluding with anybody but we have a situation around 2pm. They said the card reader battery has run flat. I mobilised and we called the INEC people and they responded. We have about 70 people yet to cast their votes and they were agitating. By INEC guidelines, there should be a spare battery to serve as backup. We went to my unit but they didn’t have and we brought generator to charge it. In Unit 005, they couldn’t start voting earlier because one of the card readers was not working.
Engr. Kola Shittu, Kwara State PDP Chairman
The poll was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere and so far so good, the process has been smooth and from what I gathered from other areas, the process is going on smoothly. At Balogun 004, accreditation started as expected. There is no cause for alarm, everyone exercised his franchise; we hope PDP will carry the day.
Hon Gbenga Makanjuola, Kwara PDP dep gov candidate
The election has been peaceful, orderly with decorum. From the voting to the sorting and counting stages, it has been commendable. INEC officials have done well, so also the security agencies. We had a large turnout and people came to vote even before 2pm just to meet up with INEC deadline. If a free and fair exercise is experienced in the coming gubernatorial poll, it will be an improvement on the 2015 elections.
Arc. Lola Ashiru, Kwara South APC Senatorial candidate
To the best of my knowledge, the election is free and fair. President Muhammadu Buhari was particular about the credibility of the poll. Since I have been contesting, this is the most credible election. I expect to win the poll; I’ve done my best as I campaigned more this time. I reached out to so many people especially at the grassroots more than I’ve ever done.
Alh Wasiu Odewale, Commissioner for Planning,
Nigerians are more enlightened than before about their civic rights. We have people from Lagos State who came around to perform their civic rights and the election has been peaceful and free of violence. Though it’s only God that chooses leaders but we can commend the process.
Alh Rasaq Lawal Oko-Ode, Omupo Constituency, PDP KWHA candidate
The success of the poll so far can be attributed to the early arrival of INEC officials. I have been around in Oko-Ode, Community School, (014 Unit) to see things myself and the process have been credible. We can be sure that results of the poll here will definitely reflect the choice of the electorate.
Hon Kamladeen Fagbemi, member KWHA
The exercise was held under a peaceful atmosphere but the electoral umpire should continue to improve on their services to ensure better electioneering process in subsequent polls.
Yinka Dallas, Chairman Ekiti LGA
The election in our area was done amidst peace among voters. The only issue we would have had is at the 006 polling unit, violence is becoming a recurring event synonymous with that polling unit but the security agents have addressed the issue anyway.
Alh. Khaleel Bolaji, former Kwara guber candidate
The card reader malfunctioned as it showed images of voters but could not identify the thumb. The last time election was held, we had two card readers and then, the population was not this much. The postponement did not affect the exercise and we’ve not heard any issue, so far.
Lukman Owolewa, former Irepodun council boss
The turnout was impressive, in the morning but the card reader malfunctioned. It identified voter’s image but failed to recognise the thumb. The other time, we had two card readers here. The postponement did not affect the poll and it was violence free not because of President Buhari’s threat but because we are not used to snatching ballot boxes here.
Engr. Orimadegun Agboworin, PDP stalwart, Offa
The exercise was peaceful but the card reader failed to function well at the initial stage.
Aminat Omodara, Ilorin West council chairperson
We don’t have any problem here at Oko-Erin ward behind Kwara Ethnix furniture. Voters came out en mass as early as possible to cast their votes. Everything is intact. The report I received from Ansarul Islam 001 at Stadium road is that some serial numbers and ballot papers were missing. 015 at Jooro village, only House of Representatives and Senate ballot papers were provided. It was late but they later brought the remaining papers. I’m highly impressed that people now know their rights and the need to exercise their franchise. If you don’t vote, then how would you complain about the process or choose your leaders.
Hon Nimota Ibrahim, ex-commissioner
INEC staff arrived our polling unit at Jagun mosque, Ibagun ward early with all materials. One of the units, 005 has over 1,500 voters and INEC will need to create a polling point from that. Same with other units and you can see the large turnout of people. The security operatives are very active but the population of voters appeared to have overwhelmed them. I don’t know how they are going to end the exercise at the approved time because they started lately and people have been here since 6:30am and I got here around 5:30am. I’m very confident that the PDP will win.
Alh. Soliu Woru Mohammed, Mogaji Nda of Ilorin
I have contacted many traditional rulers in every local government and I have been told there is no problem about the exercise. I cannot commend INEC for now but I want to commend the good people of Ilorin and Kwara State as a whole for coming out to vote. I’m also proud of journalists for their activities in this election through dissemination of quality information to douse tension during the exercise.
Hajia Sarat Adebayo, Chairperson Local Govt Service Commission
The turnout was very impressive, but the absence of security personnel is an hindrance to the process. The presiding officer here is the daughter of an APC stalwart, which is very unlawful. We cannot achieve the desired result where a poll clerk is already biased. I’m not comfortable with police and INEC because the synergy between them is frustrating the process. Absent of security is given us a problem and It has led to rowdiness. We called Air force officers who came but they said they are not authorised to move within the polling units. Civil Defence officers too have been here but they didn’t stay long and I also called the Area Commander who said he is on his way but I have not seen him yet. 10 agents of different political parties are card carrying members of the APC. We appreciate the peaceful manner of the electorate and they should continue with their good turnout.
Farooq Kperogi, Renowned columnist
In a tweet on Saturday, said, “Today’s election is shaping up to be the bloodiest, most brazenly monetized and most explicitly fraudulent presidential election in Nigeria’s entire history. There is frankly no reason to be hopeful about Nigeria. I give you.
Funmi Salau, Ilorin South Chairperson
APC fake DSS officers parading themselves around polling units came to threaten and intimidate me at my polling unit. They came with Toyota Camry and were four in number inside in the car. Another set of people were in another car. One of them, a lady came out and walked up to me. Some of those around saw them pointing at me and telling me not to go as their boss wants to see me and I asked what for?
He asked whether I am afraid of them but I moved closer. He then said Alhaja please go and maintain. They said it three times and they left. They were led by an APC man in a Hilux jeep; I don’t want to mention names. He was the one that pointed finger at me. I called the SA Security who enquired from DSS Director in Kwara and said they didn’t send any officer to me. Senator Rafiu Ibrahim’s arrest is part of the game plan they want to use to intimidate us.
Ibrahim Ajia, Kwara guber candidate
This is my family house at Magaji Ngeri and I have just cast my vote which should be the routine for every politician.
I voted around 9:30am as one of the early voters. There are a lot of complaints in the area of security. No single police man in my polling unit. I can tell you authoritatively.
Same thing at Prof Abubakar Suleiman, the PDP campaign DG.
I have to call the CP who said he has called the DPO of Oja-Oba in charge of this unit. The people are defending their votes themselves and I urge my people to be calm as everything will go on smoothly. There is no need for violence all in the name of politics. Anybody can vote for whoever they want and that does not make us enemies. We are one family and must preach the need for our youths who constitute majority of the population to see the need to continue to live in peace. It is only on such ground that we can have development.
Kwara INEC releases results for 13 LGs
Ilorin East PDP – 12,820 APC – 31,039
Irepodun PDP – 10,232 APC – 14,395
Moro PDP – 7,598 APC – 17,534
Oyun PDP – 4,908 APC – 11, 051
Oke Ero PDP – 6,242 APC – 6, 079
Ekiti PDP – 5, 394 APC – 6, 662
Asa PDP – 10, 705 APC – 15, 976
Offa PDP – 4, 540 APC – 23, 685
Patigi PDP – 3,493 APC – 14,791
Edu PDP – 6,435 APC – 24, 412
Baruten PDP – 9,419 APC – 24,204
Ilorin West PDP – 28,111 APC – 52,200
Ifelodun PDP – 19,760 APC – 8,782
