SEGUN ADEOSUN
Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, has commended the residents of the state for turning out en masse to vote despite the attack launched on Maiduguri, the state capital, in the early hours of Saturday by suspected insurgents.
He said this proves that the insurgents do not have power to stop the people from exercising their franchise.
“In spite of the early morning scare, the people have come out to vote their choice candidate. We have to send a message to the insurgents that they cannot stop us. So far, the turn-out has been so marvelous,” he said.
Some unexploded bombs were said to have landed in an IDP camp creating panic among the affected population which caused a delay in the commencement of the elections.
The polls have, however, since commenced, with voters trekking long distances to locate their polling units and cast their votes while the IDPs have also moved on from the initial tense atmosphere and joined the queues to vote.
Residents woke up to explosions and heavy shelling, with many doubting if the elections would hold at all.
But the Commissioner of Police, Damian Chukwu, dispelled the fears, insisting that it was friendly fire from the military.
But the governor commended the military for their swift response in repelling the attack, which was said to have been launched by the insurgents from two entry points into the capital city.
