Atiku, Tinubu, Obi, Kwankwaso Vote In Bid To Become Nigeria’s Next President

Thousands of polling units across the country are buzzing with civic responsibility as voters from all walks of life troop out to participate in the 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections.

Among them are President Muhammadui Buhari, and the top three contenders in the presidential race, including Bola Tinubu (APC), Peter Obi (Labour Party), and Atiku Abubakar (PDP).

I’m Too Confident Of Victory — Tinubu

On Saturday, Tinubu cast his vote at a polling unit in Bourdillion, Ikoyi, Lagos State.

Tinubu voted alongside his wife, Remi, and other party chieftains.

Addressing reporters, he said “democracy is here to stay” in Nigeria and that he is “too confident of victory”.

He said the voting process is “going smoothly” and “going well”.

On the turnout of voters, the APC candidate said, “This is expected, we need a good turnout and that is the adoption and the commitment to democracy and the democratic process must take place.”

The two-term former Lagos governor from 1999 to 2007 and a member of the incumbent’s party is undoubtedly a force in the race.

Seamless Process — Obi

Obi cast his vote at polling unit 19 in the Agulu area of the Aniocha Local Government Area of Anambra State in Nigeria’s South-East geopolitical zone.

Obi and his wife Margaret cast their vote around 11:45am on Saturday after following the voting queue for about 30 minutes.

Addressing reporters after he voted, Obi said the process was “seamless”.

Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State from 2006 to 2014, is popular among youths. Many pre-election polls have predicted victory for the 61-year-old businessman who is running alongside Kaduna-based Datti Baba-Ahmed.

Atiku Expresses Optimism

On his part, Atiku voted at Polling Unit 012, Ajiya Ward in the Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State. He voted alongside his wife, Titi.

The former Vice-President, who addressed journalists, expressed optimism and confidence that he will emerge the winner of the presidential election and succeed President Muhammadu Buhari whose two-term tenure ends on May 29, 2023.

Atiku was also the PDP candidate in 2019 and he came second with over 11 million votes right behind Buhari who polled over 15 million votes.

Kwankwaso Appeals For More Time

Kwankwaso cast his vote at a polling unit in the Kwankwaso town of the Madobi Local Government Area of Kano State.

Addressing reporters after voting, Kwankwaso said accreditation and voting didn’t start in the polling unit till 11 am as against 08:30am. He, therefore, appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be a “little bit patient” for his supporters to vote.

Kwankwaso, 66, is a former governor of Kano State, and an ex-Minister of Defence. He commands a “cut-like following” in North-West Nigeria with his socio-political movement, Kwankwasiyya movement with strong presence in Kano and other states.

President Buhari who also voted in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, alongside his wife, Aisha, encouraged Nigerians to go out and vote for their preferred candidate.

The President had many times before Saturday’s polls assured citizens that he will deliver free and fair elections on February 25 and March 11, 2023, promising a smooth transition on May 29, 2023.

Similarly, the electoral commission chief, Mahmood Yakubu at a press conference on Friday assured Nigerians that election results will be speedily released.

Here are the moments captured.