Alimisho (Lagos State), A Septuagenarian, Mr Gabriel Oyebade, on Saturday expressed satisfaction with the large turnout of voters for election, expressing the hope that it would usher in a new lease of life for the country.
Oyebade, 77, who retired from the central bank of Nigeria (CBN), said the winners and losers should embrace themselves and accept the outcome of the polls.
“They should not take us back, rather, our politicians should cooperate to move the country forward.
“They should accept the outcome of the polls, winners and losers should embrace themselves and eschew violence.
“Losers should learn to approach the courts instead of mobilising their supporters to take to the streets to protest the results,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gowon Estate, Egbeda in Lagos.
“I want to see development, mass youth employement and social security for the elderly with monthly upkeep allowance as key programmes to be implemented.
“The country is bigger than individuals and as politicians, they must be ready to serve and not to be served.”
A sexagenarian and retired Naval officer who preferred anonymity, lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the orderly conduct of the election and the introduction of Card Reader.
He said that all the measures introduced by INEC conformed with international standards.
“Card Readers are being used in all parts of the world and modern democracies. It will give credibility to the polls.
“It is a good legacy being left behaind by the INEC boss, Prof. Atahiru Jega.
For 30-year-old Mr Samuel Ologure, the election was orderly, peaceful and hitch-free.
Ologure told NAN that the introduction of Card Reader machines would help to eliminate multiple and underage voting.
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He, however, expressed regrets that he was unable to collect his Permanent Voter Card (PVC) before the polls.
He noted that his name was on the voters list but the card was not made available by INEC.
“INEC sent me telephone numbers to call and which I did and even visited the INEC office for collection but to no avail.
“I am disappointed with the development because I cannot perfrom my civic duty,” he said.
He advised which ever party that wins the election to ensure continuity in governance rathern than abandoning ongoing projects.
He also called for more youth involvement in governance with the creation of mass jobs and adequate care for the aged, adding that they should be paid living allowances till death. (NAN)
