We’ll accept Niger gov election outcome – Bello, Nasko

The main contenders in the Niger State governorship elections, Alh. Umar Nasko of the Peoples Democratic Party and Alh. Abubakar Bello, have said they will accept the outcome of the election as long as it is not marred by irregularities and is free.

Nasko, who spoke with journalists briefly after his accrediation at the Central Primary School, in his village, Nasko, Kontagora Local Government Area, said the primary aim of the election was for the development of the state and that he would respect the outcome.

He said, “Win or loose I will abide by the outcome of the election. Mind you, we are all Nigerians and we are partners in the development of our state and in whatever way it goes. Win or loose, I believe we can forge a common interest for our state and we can forge ahead which ever way it goes.”

He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission of Nigeria for addressing problems observed in the last election.

“I am impressed by the exercise. It is straight forward, transparent and less stressful than the last exercise, at least in the area of time spent on accreditation,” Nasko said.

Turnout for the elction appeared lower than the turnout for the presidential and National Assembly elections, a development Bello acknowledged after voting.

He siad, “In the beginning the turnout was low, but I think after some time it improved. It wasn’t excellent, but it was okay.”

Like Nasko, he said the elections had gone smoothly.

Bello, who voted in Kontagora, said, “In most of the wards and units, the exercise is going on very well. Initially, we had challenges in some units, but I think those have been resolved so I am quite pleased.”

Although he said he was not even considering defeat and was confident that his party would sweep to victory once more like it did in the March 28 elections, he said he would accept the outcome if it was not in his favour, as long as the polls were free and fair.

Source: The Punch