By Ayodele Oni

President Mohammadu Buhari has shed more light on why he displayed his ballot paper openly after voting on Saturday saying it a rare show of loyalty and support for the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) Presidential Candidate, Bola Tinubu.

He pointed out that after campaigning for the political leader in many parts of the country, he has reaffirmed on his preferred successor.

The president assured that he had always supported the candidature of Tinubu, and the show of his ballot paper to the Media and the public had further shown his commitment to the party and the Candidate.

Buhari, who cast his vote alongside his wife, Mrs Aisha Buhari, and other family members, at Ward A, Sarkin Yara Polling Unit 003, Daura, said it was a pity that only one female emerged as gubernatorial candidate of the APC, Aisha Binani, urging support for the candidate.

“I am very impressed because I have seen how the people turned up. I am very impressed and very happy.

”Well, the candidate I voted for I have already mentioned him in many states in Nasarawa, Katsina, and Sokoto.

“All over the places I mentioned my favourite candidate, Asiwaju Tinubu, and I believe my constituency will elect him 100 percent.”

The president advised Nigerians to ensure that their rights to vote were always respected.

“Nigerians should make sure that they are respected; that means that the candidate they want to vote for they are allowed to vote for him.

“It is a pity there is only one female candidate from Adamawa State, so the electorate should kindly follow our party.”

Asked how he felt that it was the first time since 2003 that he was not on the ballot paper, the president said:“It is very exciting.

“I look at those who are competing and some of them are so agitated that they didn’t know that I tried three times and ended up in the Supreme Court three times.

“The fourth time I said ‘God dey’ and God sent technology, Permanent Voters Card, so no fraudulent person can claim anything. APC will win ”from Daura to Lagos.”

However, not a few Nigerians have criticised Buhari for his action. They said it was meant to sway the voters.

By Akinwale Kasali

Fear and tension reign in Lekki, Ikate Area of Eti Osa Local Council Development Area as All Progressives Congress, APC, Supporters and thugs are alleged to have gone on rampage intimidating Voters.

The thugs were said to have threatened Labour Party Supporters not to cast their Votes for its Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, saying that Lagos is APC Territory and anyone that goes contrary to this will be severely dealt with.

The thugs were said to have brandished dangerous weapons alongside charms to intimidate LP supporters who remain defiant that they will exercise their franchise.

It was gathered that there were gunshots which scared the voters waiting to cast their votes. They scampered for safety.

In the process, Folarin Falana popularly known as Falz, Son of Legal Luminary, Femi Falana and also an entertainer was said to have been attacked with his Phone snatched but was later returned to him by the thugs after he stood his ground that they can’t be intimidated.

Taking to the social media, Debo Adedayo popularly known as Mr Macaroni, who lamented the attack on LP supporters said that APC have been shouting that they have structure while Obi doesn’t have, but their action has shown that it is structure of violence they have.

Debo stressed that the APC thugs saw that the turnout of voters who are for Obidient was intimidating forcing them to resort to violence.

The crisis within the area has halted the electoral process in the area as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Staff have run for safety with their materials littering the ground.

Also, the polling unit outside the Oba Elegushi Palace at Ikate in Eti-Osa, Lekki, Lagos State has been attacked by thugs

The hoodlums reportedly attacked the area on Saturday afternoon carting away ballot boxes and chasing away the Presiding officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

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.”

A social media user, tweep Samuel Otigba, who voted in the polling unit inside the palace wrote, “The vote outside the palace was scattered by area boys. Ballot box hijacked. Chased the presiding officer 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. They took his phone and deleted the video.

“Was outside when they chased and assaultved @EditiEffiong, tried recording but they are beating anyone recording here & taking your phone if they spot you. Area dey hot.”

By Charles Igbo

Obviously based on instructions, allegedly,  given by Governor Nyesom Wike, voters are being chased out if “You want to vote for Peter Obi” in Rivers State.

The same scene is being played out, openly, in some areas in Lagos State where Nigerians of Igbo extraction are being prevented from voting.

In Fehintola Giwa Street, Aguda, the gate to voting centres were locked, while one man stood, telling voters:,”If you no fit vote for APC, go your house. Here na APC. Nobody force you come for here.”

And it was the same thing in  Okota, Ikate Elugishi, Lekki suburbs.  At one polling station, one man threatened,  before Security Agencies: ” I am here if you say you be Igbo, Igbo born you, come here and vote let me see you.”

At Ikate Elugushi, Lagos, the Oba came out and asked the voters to go because he couldn’t recognize their faces as those who live in the area.

The most disturbing is Rivers State where voters who “are here to vote for Obi, will not be allowed to vote.”

At Unit 18, Rumigbo, voters were physically attacked, and told: “If you want to vote for Peter Obi, go home.”

That was followed by chasing them away.