From Harry Awurumibe in Awka, Anambra
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Valentine Ozigbo has cast his ballot at exactly 10:59am Amesi Central Ward 5.
Ozigbo’s wife was the first to be attended to by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Election Officials who took her facial photograph before handing her the ballot paper to proceed to cast her ballot for her preferred candidate, probably her husband.
The candidate himself had a slight delay as the BVAS was malfunctioning, making his accreditation to be longer before he succeeded and later cast his ballot too.
Speaking after casting his ballot, Ozigbo appealed to INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu to ensure the voting period is extended to allow that all who have their voting cards excersice their civic duties.
Said he: “Following the little delays at Polling Units which also happened to me, and we have to improvise, I will like to call on INEC Chairman, Pro. Mahmood Yakubu to extend the voting time to ensure that all those who have cards voted no matter the time”.
On the turnout so far he said: “Iam quite impressed that the Amesi Community who have come out in their numbers to vote. Maybe the large number of voters was because of their love for me. I will will not use this as a yardstick to what obtains elsewhere too”
On security, he said the situation is so far calm, adding that the people were no doubt earger to vote but are careful as they adopted wait and see attitude.
Ozigbo however said that they have nothing to be afraid of hence they should troop out en masse to vote in the Governorship Election.
