Abuja- Some international election observers and Nigerians have hailed the enthusiasm of Nigerians in the national elections and expressed satisfaction in the electoral process.
A former Governor of Colorado, U.S., Mr Bill Ritter, who led a team from the National Democratic Institute, lauded the enthusiasm of Nigerians and expressed satisfaction with the voter accreditation process.
Ritter commended voters at a Dutse centre in the Federal Capital Territory, for their patience in spite of the large number of people waiting to be accredited to vote.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 3,212 voters were expected to be accredited at the Sabagyi Primary School polling centre and by 1.47p.m. accreditation was still in progress.
Ritter said “we have been to several polling units this morning and we have observed that this area, particularly, the people have been very patient.
Commenting on the use of the card reader, he said the country had to go through the whole process to determine its effectiveness.
“I am, however, very impressed with the officials handling the card reader,” Ritter said.
In Jos, Mr. Chris Kwaja, the Plateau Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said the elections had shown that Nigerians had become more civic conscious.
Kwaja told NAN in Jos that there was quality turnout of people, who were eager to exercise their franchise more than ever before.
He said the development indicated that Nigerians had become more enlightened about their civic responsibilities.
“There is significant improvement in civic and security consciousness, Nigerians are more aware that they have a very important role to play in electing credible leaders to serve the country,“ he said.
Kwaja urged politicians to preach peace to their followers as they were highly respected by them.
“Politicians should tell their followers to shun violence during elections.
“If your supporters cannot listen to you, this then poses a serious problem and shows you are actually not respected by them,“ he said.
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Kwaja said Nigeria was bigger than everyone and should not be controlled by selfish interests.
Meanwhile, the Senator representing Gombe South, Sen. Joshua Lidani (PDP-Gombe) has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for introducing the card reader.
Lidani, who is contesting to return to the Senate, told NAN in Kaltungo, Gombe State, after casting his vote that the card reader would go a long way in checking irregularities.
“INEC has done fairly for introducing the card reader except some minor hitches where the card reader developed problem but it was immediately rectified,” he said.
According to him, the materials arrived in time and accreditation commenced in time.
“The 2015 general election has exceeded my expectations as the turnout was very impressive.
“People have come out en mass to exercise their civic right. I think it has exceeded the record of the previous elections.
“Voters have conducted themselves in an orderly manner, so far in this our unit we have not recorded any violence,” he said.
