Sunday 5 April 2015

NIGERIA HAS DECIDED (2)

Dear diary, 


From my last post, you now have an idea of how the election process went. I'm sure you want to know what the outcome was. After voting, what's next? This post will answer your question.


According to the INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, the results of the election would be announced within 48 hrs of the voting process. The results were not announced 48 hours after but the coalition process had begun. The hours that followed the voting process were probably the longest hours ever for most Nigerians. People were having palpitations and blood pressures were skyrocketing. Up until the 28th of March this year, some Nigerians had no idea that local tv stations existed on their decoders. But following the elections of that day, come and see them flipping through local tv stations like it was going out of fashion. They were even the ones breaking news from tv stations on social media. Weekly TV series and Nollywood movies took the back seat as Nigerians became Political analysts; analyzing what was and what wasn't.

Prof. Jega announced that the cumulated result from each state would be announced live on tv from 12 noon the following Monday. As a result of that announcement, shops and offices closed (that's if they even opened) very early that day. Everybody was rushing home just to watch Prof. Jega live on tv, announcing the result of the election. 


At about 2 pm that day, out first case of Jega timing was diagnosed. He didn't start at noon as he said but no one cared. He was on seat already at the INEC national coalition centre, Abuja, so it was only a matter of minutes before the results would be announcesd and we could return to our regular lives. When the live broadcast started, he apologized for the delay and he informed us that the whole process may take about 10-12 hours. We didn't mind, we were willing to wait. And so the coalition process began. 


Each state had an electoral officer usually a current or former vice chancellor of a university. It was interesting seeing renowned professors and lecturers fumble in public. People had to ask if these set of people were the same people wielding the magic stick over peoples destinies in the university. It just made me appreciate the fact that no human being is perfect. 

About 14 political parties took part in the 2015 presidential elections and when the results from a particular state are to be announced, the electoral officer would call out the parties with their results simultaneously, in their alphabetical order. This process took about 36 hours. 

How is the winner decided? 
1. Total number of votes 
2. More than 25% of votes in a state

Before the coalition process was over, Nigerians already knew who the winner was. What a dramatic evening it was as the streets were filled with celebrations. Chants of "sai baba, sai Buhari" rented the air. 


The fireworks in the sky that night reminded me of New Year's Eve. In a bid to ensure peace, the sitting president Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, called the president-elect, Gen. Mohammed Buhari to congratulate him. That singular act by the president was welcomed by most people as a sign of peace.


The 2015 general elections would be a memorable one for a long time to come. With all the negativity and unfavorable circumstances that surrounded it, it still came out successful. I'm happy I witnessed it all. It's my turn to tell my grandchildren about the famous 2015 elections!

I'll leave you with a quote from Prof. Attahiru Jega; 


P.s: I do appreciate the effort put in by Channels television during the election. Period. Tremendous work!


Picture credit: google, @bayoomoboriowo, twitter.

Saturday 4 April 2015

NIGERIA HAS DECIDED

Dear diary,


In my last post here, I talked about the upcoming General elections. Well, the elections have come and gone but the memories from that day would be taught in our children's History classes. I'm glad I witnessed a "proper" election in Nigeria and I can proudly say Nigeria has decided. The governing election body in Nigeria, Independent National Electronic Commission (INEC), had a humongous task before them and they delivered to an appreciable degree. From PVC's to Card Reader System, this election had something different about it. As usual, yours truly has prepared a photoblog for you just so you can relish the happy moments and not so happy moments from the just concluded Presidential elections. Sit back, crunch those biscuits and enjoy as you read.


The voting process was billed to start at 8:00 am but trust Nigerians and their Jega African timing. While some of the INEC ad hoc staff arrived on time, others arrived their polling units at the close of day. In all of this, Nigerians were surprisingly patient. Nobody wanted to move. They waited around the polling unit until the ad hoc staffs arrived and began the accreditation process. 





This was the first time the card reader system was used in Nigeria. Even though there were some glitches at the beginning, they eventually found a way around it. This system really played a great part in ensuring the success of the election. I only hope that INEC will improve on it so as to ensure a smooth election process. 


As the day progressed, the heavens opened up and showered blessings on Nigerians as the stood at their units but they did not move. They were going to cast their vote come rain or shine.


Trust our celebrities to join the train. They also showed up at the polling units with their PVC's, ready to vote.







While others were waiting in line to be accredited, a couple at a polling unit in Surulere, Lagos got engaged. We couldn't see fancy wedding pictures that Saturday because all weddings were put on hold but at least we got an engagement photo. Congratulations!



The streets were empty! Those that couldn't come out to vote (due to lack of PVC or out of fear) stayed indoors. It was a case of "don't look for trouble and it wouldn't find you."




The most exciting thing for me was seeing elderly people come out to cast their vote. These people witnessed the civil war (with all its woes and throes) and still believe in Nigeria. So much that they had to step out of their comfort zone to perform their civic duty. Truly, Nigeria is ours and we are the only ones that can make it better.





Market ended well for some people that day, as they got more than they bargained for. This was a downturn for me; this picture went viral that day courtesy Nigerian twitter and yes, we all asked the same question you are about to ask "How old is this boy? How come he has a PVC?!" Like play, like play, this dude has become a celeb



People of all walks of life came out to cast their vote. 




Leaders that lead! The candidates that were running for the Presidential seat turned up early at their polling units and casted their votes. Trust the paparazzi, always ready!




Body no be firewood! The security operatives were commendable that day, even though Mother Nature tried to get the best of some of them e.g this guy.


Some polling units conducted elections into the wee hours of the morning due to late arrival and logistic problems. Trust Nigerians and their accomodating spirit. They brought out chairs, pure water and light snacks just to make each other comfortable. 


Some polling units had to move their voting process to the next day. At the end of the day, quite a number of registered voters were able to cast their vote. 


What was the outcome of the voting process? Who won the elections? How were the votes counted? When was the result announced? These and many more questions would be answered in the 2nd part of this post. Watch this space! 😊



Picture credit: Google images, Instagram, Twitter, Mr Bayo Omoboriowo (Talented photographer!) and my lovely BBM contacts :)

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