Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says the use of the smart card readers is a welcome development, calling on Nigerians to be patient.
He stated that election is a constitutional issue, which must be done every four years to choose leaders for the country, adding that “it is a ritual that we must go through.”
Commenting on his accreditation, he said: “what I have gone through is very okay. They checked my card, my finger print and they said it was okay and that I should come back and vote.
“I have come to my polling station and what I have seen is satisfactory. I have talked to few people here in Abeokuta who have been to their own polling stations and have done their accreditation, waiting for time to vote. They also reported satisfactory outcome.
“I will appeal to all Nigerians to maintain this type of peaceful, satisfactory process that we have had so far here in Abeokuta.
“The fear that people have had, we must do everything to allay that fear, the fear that there may be violence, disturbances. There should be no violence and disturbances in performing your civic duty and responsibility, when the officials are there, make sure you do your accreditation and cast your vote.
“I do hope that what I have seen here in my own polling station and what has been reported elsewhere in Abeokuta, will be the way it will go throughout the country. I will wish everyone of us a successful voting.”
On the complaints of non-availability of the cards, the former President said, “they have not gotten all the cards but at this hour, there is nothing anybody can do. What we do hope is that the election that will come two weeks from now maybe those without cards now will have their cards then.
“Unfortunately, those people will be disenfranchised from this election. But this should not become political violence. They should be patient,” adding that INEC is doing its best to improve on the distribution.
Jaytee 
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