LAFIA- The residents of Lafia, Nasarawa State capital, have lauded Nigerians for the peaceful conduct of Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Many of them who spoke to newsmen attributed the development to the transparent disposition of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) toward the exercise.
Malam Ahmadu Ari, a resident of Angwan Maina, said that unlike the previous elections, INEC staff arrived at polling units early with all necessary voting materials thereby leaving no room for suspicion.
He observed that the electorate were very eager to vote and would not want any misunderstanding to deprive them of making their choices through the ballot.
Ari advised INEC to sustain the tempo of the good performance so that peace would prevail in subsequent elections.
Another resident, Mr Matin Audu described the exercise as transparent, adding that all parties were satisfied with the conduct of the polls.
Audu also noted that the fear and anxiety in the mind of people was partly responsible for the peace during the polls.
“You will agree with me that Nasarawa State has had its fair share of violent clashes and the people are now tired of fighting. Everybody is being cautious,’’ Audu said.
According to Mr Ngbede Aboje, a businessman, the peace that pervaded the state during the polls is a demonstration of God’s power in answer to the prayer of the people.
“Some people are still apprehensive about post election violence but I am sure that God, who has begun the God work, will perfect it,’’ Aboje said.
He added that the sensitisation by various stakeholders ahead of the polls also contributed to the peace during the elections.
Aboje called on the people to sustain the tempo when the final results were announced.
Meanwhile, business activities in the metropolis have fully resumed with people going about their concerns.
Security presence was, however, noticed around collation centres and other strategic points in the state capital.
Collation of the results from the various local government areas was underway as at time of filing this report.