The election was generally peaceful across the state, according to reports from many parts.
Against all predictions, the exercise proceeded as scheduled, commencing with the accreditation of voters from as early as 8am in several of the areas monitored.
Aside from pockets of allegations of destruction of electoral materials in some parts of Kogi Central, particularly in Anyingba, accreditation of the eligible voters commenced peacefully.
In Okene, headquarters of Kogi Central Senatorial district, accreditation commenced early, although there was low turn of voters in some polling units.
The people generally performed their civic responsibility in several other areas visited, without any hitch.
In other areas, including areas like Ejule-Aka Ward, in Ofu Local Government Area and some wards in Adavi LGA, there were reported cases of malfunctioning Smart Card Readers.
Heavy presence of security operatives, particularly the police was visible in all the places visited.
The development might not be unconnected with reported allegations of arms stock piling by political parties before the day of election, and may have been made forestall any trouble.
At Ward 010 in Ogbinicha, Ofu LGA, where the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Prince Audu, voted at exactly 1.40pm, the exercise was peaceful.
Expressing satisfaction with the conduct of election in his area, Audu, however, alleged that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Eti-Aja and Ojetachi streets, in Anyigba, of destroying ballot materials.
Governor Idris Wada was only able to vote at his Ogbonicha ward in Odu-Ogbuyaga, Dekina LGA, after filling the INEC incident form, as there was problem with the reading of his finger print by machine.
The governor’s wife, Hajia Halima Wada followed the same process before voting, as her name was not found on the voter register.
Achimugu aka Chimaroke, from Ofu LGA, lamented the rate of Card Reader’s failure to authenticate the permanent voters card in his area, of Ejule-Ala Ward of Ofu LGA.
In Kabba, accreditation commenced on a peaceful note and high turnout of voters recorded.
In Lokoja, the state capital, accreditation commenced early with voters moving to polling units under a calm atmosphere.
Senator Tunde Ogbeha, the Director General of the Governor Idris Wada Campaign Organisation, lost in his polling unit, under Ward A, Lokoja, where he voted.
The PDP polled 158 in the unit, while the APC polled 200.
Ogheha also lost in Ward E, Pata Koto North Area, where his family house is. PDP had 172 and APC 202.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr. Idris Haruna, who monitored the exercise, commended the electorate, and commended them for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner.
