Large Turnout In Abuja For Presidential Poll

ABUJA, April 16, (THEWILL) - Residents of Abuja, the federal capital today filed out in large numbers to vote in the presidential elections. Our correspondent who monitored the election in Abuja and its environs reports that there was general calm everywhere amidst tight security.

In most polling units visited within the city centre voters came out as early as 7.30 am waiting for INEC officials. However, accreditation started on time and voting also commenced at the stipulated time of 12.30 in most polling units.

Some of the results declared indicate that the candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan was leading in the capital city. For example, at the two polling units located at the presidential Villa, Jonathan scored more than 50 percent of the votes cast. It will be recalled that the CPC defeated the PDP at the Villa polling units in the April 9, National Assembly elections.

At the polling unit close to the Pilot gate of the Presidential Villa, President Jonathan polled 630 votes to the 318 votes polled by the congress for Progressive Change (CPC), candidate, Gen. Muhammmadu Buhari.

At the second polling station which lies across the presidential Villa stores, President Jonathan polled 602 votes to the Buhari’s 374 votes. The announcement of the results sparked off celebration amongst supporters of President Jonathan who took to the street celebrating.

In Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja there was palpable fear amongst residents as some youths in the Hausa Quarters blocked the Abuja-Keffi road for sometime celebrating Buhari’s victory in some of the polling stations in the area. They were chanting ‘Sai Buhari’, Sai mai gaskiya’ meaning Buhari is a honest man, he is our choice.