Hon. Abdulkadiri Rah casting his vote in Maiduguri
Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, representing Borno Central Senatorial District, on Saturday cast his vote in the ongoing local government elections in Borno State, expressing satisfaction with the peaceful and orderly conduct of the exercise across Maiduguri.
The senator voted at about 11:00 a.m. at Lawan Asheik Alhaji Sadiq Polling Unit 010, Shehuri South, Lamisula Pole Wire, Biyu area of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC).
Earlier, the member representing Maiduguri Metropolitan Council Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Abdulkadiri Rahis, cast his ballot at Wakil Hassan 039 Polling Unit, Gwange I, at about 10:30 a.m.
After voting, both federal lawmakers embarked on a wide monitoring tour of polling units across Maiduguri city to observe the conduct of the elections. Areas visited included Bolori, Shehuri, Gwange, Abbaganaram, Galadima, Baga Road, Custom Sabon Kayi, Ruwa Zafi, Ajati Lawan area, Gidan Dambe, Bulabulin, Lagos Street, Gidan Madara, Hausari, Bulumkutu Abuja, Dala Karshep by Nkwalta, Bulumkutu Yan Nono, Bulumkutu Kasuwa Legacy, Airport Junction, Lawan, Gomari, Lawan Shuwa, and Gomari Primary School I polling units.
The election monitoring team was joined by the APC Deputy National Chairman, Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori, and Hon. Ahmed Satomi, member of the House of Representatives representing Jere Federal Constituency.
Speaking to journalists after the monitoring exercise at Government House II Polling Unit, Senator Kaka Shehu said the process was transparent and peaceful.
“You can see we have gone round some parts of the state capital, Maiduguri, together with you people. You saw everything,” he said.
“The commission has organized a peaceful, free, fair and credible local government election. I think this is the third cycle. So, we should thank the governor for it. It is very important in our lives to witness this.”
Expressing delight at what he observed, the senator added, “I am really happy with most of the polling units visited. You are all living witnesses. That goes to show that there is good governance in the state. Without good governance, you cannot have free and fair elections.”
Commenting on voter participation, he said, “It is time to come on board. The turnout and queues are on the high side. So, I am highly delighted to be part of the process. You have gone around together with us, members of the National Assembly, to most of these polling units within Maiduguri city.”
On the overall conduct of the polls, Senator Kaka Shehu noted, “It was very glaring that the conduct was peaceful. We went round together with you to two local governments in the Borno Senatorial District and selected polling units randomly. In all the polling units visited, the election was peaceful.”
“We went round smoothly and saw how peacefully the election was going on without any rancour. Security agencies were all over the place with us, apart from those deployed to various polling units,” he added.
According to him, “There was no havoc anywhere that we visited. That shows the exercise was conducted under a very peaceful atmosphere. We went around with you, you saw everything. Everything was very peaceful.”
The senator also commended members of the media for their role in the democratic process.
“On behalf of the governor of the state and all members of the National Assembly, I want to thank you gentlemen of the press,” he said. “Without you, the populace would not be aware of the various programmes and policies that have been executed.”
“On behalf of our bosses, the Vice President of Nigeria and the governor, we are very proud of you. Very, very proud of you, and we wish to associate ourselves with you. Thank you very much,” Senator Kaka Shehu concluded.
