Niger guber: Residents defy bandit attacks to vote in Bwari-Jere

Despite the bandit attacks along the Bwari-Jere road on the eve of the election, many residents in the surrounding communities still trooped out to cast their votes. Reports have shown that on Friday night, bandits in large numbers blocked the Bwari-Jere road, raising palpable fear around the surrounding communities. The bandits blocked the road around 8 pm and kidnapped travellers and some villagers in the neighbourhood. The incident made many area residents apprehensive about voting on election day. However, despite the security situation, some residents still came out to exercise their franchise.

The polling unit at Sabon Gari Primary School, located along the Bwari-Jere road in Sabon Gari Ward of Kaduna South Local Government Area, witnessed a large turnout of voters despite the earlier security concerns. Many voters were queuing up early in the morning to cast their votes. At the polling unit, security operatives were on the ground to ensure the safety of voters and INEC officials.

One of the voters, Mr Sunday Dauda, expressed his satisfaction with the security arrangement at the polling unit. According to him, the heavy presence of security operatives has given him the confidence to come out and vote. He also stated that he is optimistic about the election's outcome, as he believes that the election would be free and fair.

Another voter, Mrs Grace Audu, said she was excited about participating in the election despite the security challenges. She said that coming out to vote was her civic duty, and she would be able to handle the insecurity in the area.

The situation was the same at the Tudun Wada Primary School polling unit in Zaria Local Government Area, as voters were seen coming out en masse to cast their votes. Security operatives were also at the polling unit to maintain law and order. Many of the voters at the polling unit expressed their satisfaction with the conduct of the election, stating that they had not experienced any form of intimidation or harassment.

At the Zango Kataf Local Government Area polling unit, security operatives were also on the ground to maintain law and order. Despite the earlier security challenges, many voters were seen coming out to cast their votes. The voters expressed their satisfaction with the security arrangements put in place by the authorities. They also stated that they were optimistic that the election would be free and fair.

In another development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed concerns over deploying security operatives to some states where elections occur. The party accused the ruling party of using security operatives to intimidate voters and disrupt the electoral process.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said in a statement that the party has received reports of harassment and intimidation of its members and supporters in some states. He called on the authorities to ensure that the election was conducted freely and fairly, devoid of any form of intimidation or harassment.

The APC has, however, dismissed the allegations of the PDP, stating that the party is only making excuses ahead of its imminent defeat in the election. The ruling party accused the PDP of trying to discredit the electoral process to justify its loss in the election.

Meanwhile, the INEC has assured Nigerians that the electoral process would be free and fair, devoid of intimidation or harassment. The commission stated that it has put in place measures to ensure that the election is conducted peacefully and orderly. The commission also urged Nigerians to come out and vote, stating that their votes would count.