Despite the efforts of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials to explain that the malfunctioning BVAS was a nationwide problem, the governor was left with no option but to retreat to his private family home. The malfunctioning of the BVAS system, which uses both fingerprints and facial recognition technology to identify voters, has caused delays and frustration for many voters across the country.
The delay in voting for Governor Wike is particularly significant given his high-profile position as the governor of one of Nigeria's largest states. His inability to vote due to a malfunctioning machine highlights the need for more reliable and efficient voting systems in Nigeria. The governor's experience is just one example of the challenges faced by voters in a country where election irregularities and malfunctions are unfortunately all too common.
It is worth noting that Governor Wike had been in the news prior to the election for his disagreements with the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His faction, known as G-5, had abstained from supporting Atiku Abubakar, the PDP's presidential candidate. Wike himself had lost the PDP ticket to Atiku, who went on to select Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate, thereby overlooking Wike.
Despite these political disagreements, however, the malfunctioning of the BVAS system affected all voters equally, regardless of their political affiliations. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of a reliable and efficient voting system that ensures all eligible citizens can exercise their right to vote.