Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
Presidential and Nation Assembly elections in Borno state, despite Boko Haram insurgency that claimed many lives and property. Accreditation and voting by electorates commenced in Maiduguri metropolis at 9.30am at the Lamisula-Jabbamari and Government House polling centres. Despite firing of Rapid Propelled Grenades (RPGs) by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole on Saturday morning, to scare terrorists, there were massive turnout of electorates exercise their franchise elect their leaders at Borno polls. Governor Kashim Shettima arrived the Lamisual-Babbamari voting centre by 10.21am and cast his vote with great deal of excitement over the massive turnout of electorates. He urged the electorates to vote for leaders of their choice, despite Boko Haram threats on people’s lives and property in the state. His words: “I was filled with a great deal of exhilaration. I was on the verge of tears and outpouring of emotions and support within my within my neighbourhood of Lawanti. “But most importantly, as you’re approaching my neighbourhood, I saw a mass of humanity coming out to exercise their rights to vote. “This to me, is a great deal of excitement, because in spite of the threats and intimidations by Boko Haram the people decided to exercise their rights to choose next crops of leaders. “A voter doesn’t need to vote for me, but I’ll be glad, if a voter is exercising his or her right to vote for candidates of their choice.” He said this portends great things to come for this nation. Continuing, Shettima added: “Honestly, I was quite thrilled and happy that the massive humanity I saw this morning; was enormous. According to him, Nigerian are very keen on voting for the leaders of their choices at Saturday polls. He assured that the on-going elections, is conducted in peace and harmony without any violence in the state. He said he not seen any altercation among party agents, supporters and their candidates at any of the polling centres. He said Saturday is beautiful day for democracy and a great election day for the nation. On IDPs voting in camps, he said: “Living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps breeds indolence and culture of dependency. “We got some vehicles to ferry IDPs from Cameroon to Gambouru –Ngala with the provision of tents and food stuff. “We want them to exercise their rights. They don’t have to vote for me or President Muhammadu Buhari. We have that moral obligation to create the climate for 124,000 IDPs from Cameroon and Niger to exercise their franchise.”
