Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the successful conduct of the elections in the state.

Umahi, who spoke to journalists on Saturday after voting at Onuwafor polling unit in Umunaga ward, Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area, said that the election was excellent and beautiful and therefore commended the INEC boss, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for the smooth process.

The governor, who voted by 10:20 a.m., noted that the turnout of voters was an indication that Nigerians are beginning to know their rights.

He said that with the disposition of the electoral body, politicians should be held responsible if any of the processes failed and not the INEC.

His words: “The process is excellent, very beautiful. INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, should be commended. If any process fails, the fault is from the politicians and not part of the INEC. INEC has done very well.

“The problems of the card readers are from the operators. The card readers are functioning well but the operators are the problems. They need to be educated on the use of the card readers.

“There is high turnout. It is a statement from the people that leaders should stop taking them for granted. Everybody is interested now. So if you are a leader and you are voted into office, your eyes must be on the people because the level of turnout is an indication that Nigerians are beginning to know their right.”

The governor said there were infiltrations of people in some places because people who were not on ground thought they can use thugs and security agencies to intimidate the people.

Umahi, however, condemned the killings in Ikwo Local Government Area on Friday night where two people died, stressing that the perpetrators of the dastardly act must be face the full wrath of the law.

“The incident in Ikwo is saddening. Ikwo is going to be isolated at the end of the day. All the killings and evils against the people of Ikwo must be attended to. It’s not election or no election, anyone that takes life must be called to order,” the governor said.

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