Buhari, Aisha Vote In Daura, Atiku, Titi In Yola

• President sure of victory
• INEC officials, materials arrive late in Kano
• I’m a democrat – Atiku

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday morning cast his ballot and expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will win the presidential and national Assembly elections.

Speaking after voting at Kofar Baru, Sarkin Yara “A” ward in Daura, his home town in Katsina State, President Buhari affirmed that he would win the election and congratulate himself afterwards.

Clad in a light blue `Babaringa’, the president, accompanied by his wife, Aisha and some security details, was early at the polling unit.

The first lady Aisha was the first to vote at 8.06 a.m before the president voted at about 8.10 a.m.

When asked to assess the exercise, so far, the President said; “So far, so good. Nigerians understand and are behaving themselves.”

On his reaction if result of the election did not favour him, he retorted; “I will congratulate myself; I am going to be the winner.”

Atiku, Titi vote in Yola, happy with voters’ turnout

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, also voted at about 10.06 am in his polling unit of Ajiya in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The former Vice President, who was accompanied by his wife, Titi, to the polling unit, where she also voted, said; “I am impressed with the turnout and I hope presiding officers will be able to cope with the turnout.”

On whether he will accept the result no matter the outcome, the PDP flag-bearer said expressed optimism of emerging the winner and awaiting a successful transition, adding; “I look forward to a successful transition, I am a Democrat and would accept the result.”

Kano records late arrival of INEC officials, material

Late arrival of election materials at most of the polling centres delayed the commencement of voting in Tarauni and Nasarawa local government areas of Kano state on Saturday.

Reports indicate that while security personnel and eligible voters arrived at the polling centres as early as 7:00 a.m, INEC officials did not show up with the election materials on time.

At Tarauni Asibiti polling centre, security agents and voters were seen awaiting the arrival of materials and INEC officials.

A voter, who spoke with NAN, said he arrived at the centre around 7:56 a.m hoping to meet the electoral officers but was disappointed.

Similarly, at Garden polling centre, the story was the same as there was no single INEC official while only voters and security agents were seen waiting for the arrival of the election materials and officials.

At the Garden Collation Centre around 8:00 a.m., the election materials were being distributed to various polling centres, while security personnel kept vigil there.

At Gyadi-gyadi Arewa polling centre, located at the Women’s Centre, the materials and election officials were already on ground as at 8:15 a.m. trying to sort things out.

At Magwan polling centre within the  Giginyu Ward in the Nasarawa local government area, the materials and INEC officials were nowhere to be found as only security agents and voters awaited the arrival of materials as at 8:30 a.m.

It was also observed that the turnout of voters, especially men, was impressive at most of the polling centres visited in the two local government areas.

Most of the voters expressed disappointment with the late arrival of materials and officials at the polling units, and they urged INEC to address the challenge. – With agency reports