#BayelsaDecides: Jonathan rues late arrival of INEC officials, voting materials in Ogbia

After waiting endlessly for the arrival of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, voted at unit 39, Ward 13 at the Otazi Playground, Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa on Saturday.

The former president, who was expected to cast his vote as early as 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning when he left his country home in Otuoke, voted at 11.30 a.m., while his wife voted at 11.35 a.m.

Moments after casting his vote, Jonathan who was accosted by journalists, said: “We must conduct ourselves if we want to really bring people to rule us either as president or governors.

“Nigerians are always blaming people in authorities and the leaders, so here they must blame themselves.

Read also: #BayelsaDecides: Thugs hijack election materials in Southern Ijaw

“Look at even this voting, I was around earlier, but the materials had yet to arrive in the polling unit.

“I have led election monitoring teams to other African countries, we use to go 30 minutes before the time and in our reports, we indicate the exact time when the vote starts.

“So, for election to start after that time it is an indictment to the electoral body that manages election. There is no reason here election should not start by 8:00 a.m.

“So, even the youth should stop blaming old people, you blame yourselves and do things properly.

“I am really disappointed on what I observe today compared to other African countries where I monitored elections.”

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