Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and his wife Eunice joined thousands of other Nigerians to cast their vote at their LGEA Primary School Ako 003 polling unit, in Gbajimba.
Ortom who voted at about 9:30am, in Guma LGA of the state said so far, the people have conduct themselves peacefully and urged them to maintain the tempo.
“You can see that people are here to cast their votes and we have done massive mobilization. Some other people are not here but they are on their way coming despite the security challenges.”
The Governor thanked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for timely delivery of sensitive and non sensitive materials saying the early take off was also an indication that the process would also be completed on time.
He disclosed that a man and his son were killed in Gbajimba late Friday by militia men sponsored by the All Progressive Congress, APC, saying: “I have earlier given a comprehensive report to the security agencies when I heard that they were coming to stage attacks especially where we have massive supports.
“I have already communicated the security agencies and I pray that these people will be apprehended.”
Ortom who thanked the police commissioner for going into the field to monitor things himself noted that security was inadequate “but again it’s a general challenge so they have to make do with what they have.”
He said that he was impressed that the Commissioner of police in charge of the election, Umaru Muri came himself to supervise what was happening in his council ward.
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“We have more that 10 council wards and I hope he will go round these wards to monitor things. So far with the reports I have gotten, there is nothing to worry about except that in other LGs , I have heard of the burning of election materials in some wards but I think the security men are on top of the situation to bring it under control so that people can go and vote,” the governor said.
He expressed the hope that there would be massive turnout even more than the presidential election.
Speaking on his chances at victory, Ortom said “victory belongs to God and I trust in God that I will be victorious at the end of the day.
Some of the voters who spoke to our correspondent expressed happiness that everyone was very orderly contrary to fears expressed earlier by residents.
Augustine Kwande in particular commended INEC officials for being prompt, early and ready with the election materials.
