Abuja residents anxiously await release of election results

Residents of Abuja and Nigerians in general are waiting anxiously for the release of the results of the Presidential and National Assembly elections conducted on Saturday in most parts of the country.

However, INEC endorsed the continuation of voting on Sunday in some states where the elections could not hold due to logistics challenges, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

NAN learnt that worshippers in various churches in Abuja, discussed in smalls groups the possible outcome of the elections adjudged to have been generally peaceful and well organised.

They were particularly happy that the uncertainty and tension that pervaded the air over the elections was wearing off.

Some residents who spoke with NAN correspondent, expressed satisfaction with the improved electoral process that attended the conduct of the election, the fifth in Nigeria’s democratic dispensation since 1999.

They expressed the hope that only contestants who have the interest of the nation and its people at heart would eventually be declared winners.

The Hakimi of Jikwoyi, Hakimi Nocholas Machi, who spoke with NAN, confirmed that this election was the most orderly and peaceful he had witnessed in recent times.

“I believe that the election will be credible given the peaceful atmosphere that we witnessed on Saturday.

“Earlier, I had urged my people to be peaceful as election is not about violence, but it’s about choosing a good leader that can take us to greater heights.”

In his comment, Mr Ola Olumide, an Abuja resident, also expressed joy over the conduct of the elections, which he described as peaceful and orderly.

“As we await the election results, I pray that only those who genuinely want to take this nation to the next level should emerge winners.

“I must say that in my unit at Jikwoyi, we had a very calm atmosphere with voters waiting patiently for voting materials to arrive.

“This shows that Nigerians are actually more politically conscious; they want to choose their leaders; they want to take part in moving their country forward and it is quite interesting,” Olumide said.