20110415
Daily Independent (Lagos)

At last, the day is here. Today, Nigerians go to the poll to pick their 15th Head of State but fourth democratically elected President.

Those who clinched their party's presidential ticket include Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Ibrahim Shekarau, All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP); Chris Okotie, Fresh Democratic Party (FRESH); Rasheed Shitta Bey of Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP), Dele Momodu, National Conscience Party (NCP); John Dara, National Transformation Party (NTP), and Ebiti Ndok of United National Party for Development (UNPD).

Whoever emerges from today's elections would take charge of the nation's affair for the next four years.

The election is the fourth consecutive uninterrupted presidential poll since 1998 election, which lead to the military handing over power to the government of former president Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999.

Unlike last Saturday's National Assembly poll that was postponed in some areas, today's presidential election will hold in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Already, as a result of the interest the poll has generated owing to the different campaign strategies adopted by political parties, there is apprehension in different quarters that the election may go into a run-off if none of the candidates score the mandatory 25 percent vote according the electoral act in at least 24 states to consolidate the lead vote.

A number of the parties have held series of meetings on the possibility of agreeing to an alliance ahead of today's ballot.

None of the moves yielded any positive result, at least among the major parties. Some smaller parties have endorsed candidates of parties described as the Big Four.

Ribadu explained on Thursday that he offered to step down for Buhari, but the man was not willing to make any sacrifice.

He told a press conference in Abuja that opposition politicians understand the challenge of addressing Nigeria's past and making its future and tried hard to forge an alliance.

His word: "We tried it honestly; we attempted to come out with a strong opposition to the PDP. On the side of my party (ACN), we made every necessary sacrifice, including the offer of stepping down of our Presidential candidate, because we saw that Nigerians want it and we also believe that it is the right thing to do; the ability for all opposition to come together."

Chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega has declared today's election a no go area for ballot snatchers just as Adekunle Ogunmola, Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), yesterday warned voters to be mindful of the rules guiding the elections.

According to Ogunmola "every eligible voter having duly been accredited must return to the polling unit before 12 noon to cast his or her votes. But if after accreditation you leave the polling unit and you return a minute after 12 mid-day, such electorate will not be allowed to vote.

"This measure became necessary to ensure that people did not move that day from one polling unit to another with the intention of voting more than once. Because if the exercise is carried out in all the polling units within the same time period, then it will not be possible for people to move around."

It would be recalled that more than 117 ballot boxes were reportedly snatched at different election centres across the country during last week's National Assembly poll.

Speaking with our reporter, spokesman to Jega, Kayode Idowu said, "we have perfected plans with security operatives to ensure that anybody that attempts to cart away any of the election materials is apprehended. We make no pretence that the entire culprits would be brought to book. INEC is not a security agency, we are relying on the existing security network that has assured us of their support."

The Nigeria Police has also said that the restriction of movement of persons will remain in force till the end of the general elections.

This was stated in a release signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olusola Amore.

He said, "For the purpose of implementation and enforcement, movement of persons or group of persons is hereby restricted from 10pm of Friday 15th April, 2011 to 6am of Saturday 16th April, 2011; while there will be restriction of movement of persons from 8am to 6pm on Saturday 16th April, 2011 during voting period

"This order is to enable all law enforcement agents monitor the activities of miscreants, thugs and other criminal elements who may plan to use the eve of the election day to perpetrate their nefarious acts to disrupt the smooth conduct of the elections."

He also reiterated the Police's commitment to the security of lives and property before, during and after the elections saying that the Police are working in collaboration with other law enforcement agents to ensure violence free elections.

The Police also insisted that voters should stay away from the immediate voting vicinity after casting their votes.

"All eligible voters are advised to go out and cast their votes without fear of molestation and they are also enjoined to leave the immediate voting vicinity and allow their various party agents to take the responsibility of protecting and watching all vote cast until they are duly counted and recorded by the INEC officials," the statement said.

Chris Okotie of FRESH has also urged Nigerians to conduct themselves peacefully at today's polls, saying it offers a rare opportunity to restore the nation by picking the right leader.

He made the call in a statement issued in Lagos on Friday.

According to him, "The world's focus is on our nation now. We must not do anything that would tarnish the image of our country. We must let each vote count, and allow the philosophy of one-man-one-vote to work, as it does in other countries."