By Yusuf Boluwatife
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the ongoing governorship election in Anambra State, Valentine Ozigbo has asked that the deadline set for elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), be extended.
Ozigbo who alongside his wife cast their votes at PU 010, Social Center Square, Amaesi Ward in Aguata Local Government Area at about 11am today, complained that election materials and officials had not arrived at some places as at the time he voted.
He explained that all willing electorate might not be able to vote if the 2:30pm deadline set by INEC was followed. Hence, he asked that the time be extended.
“I want to thank God for the clement weather, a moment ago, I and my wife fulfilled our own part of the obligation which is to cast our votes.
“Thank God it it peaceful and we have been able to vote, but it is a mixed feeling, I am a bit worried by the time it took us to vote, verification by Bivas device was slow.
”We had to use hotspot before it worked, while I commend INEC for the technology, I want to say that it must be improved.
“So, I call for extension of time to ensure every eligible voter votes if it is not their cause, I am expecting a minimum of one million people to vote out of about 2.5 million registered voters,” Ozigbo said.
The PDP candidate also said the residents of the state turned out en masses to cast their votes, as he made reference to the relaxation of the IPOB’s sit-at-home which posed a major threat to the election.
He also urged his agents and other political parties’ to make sure that the election process was transparent and asked them to guard against desperate people.
He said, “Some people are desperate about this election and in that desperation, they can do anything, they want to write results and push it in.
“I am calling on my agents and indeed agents of other political parties to guard against that and ensure that only what transpired at the polling units are recorded.”
