The just conclude governorship election in Yobe state has been declared free, fair and credible by a coalition of INEC accredited election observers who monitored the exercise in the state.
The observers also commended the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what the group described as neutrality during the poll.
In a statement signed Wednesday in Abuja by the coalition’s leader, Okoi Tina, said despite the conviction in certain quarters that Yobe state was an insurgency prone state, the exercise “went well and credible.”
According to the observers, the turn out by electorates was commendable and the state seemed to have enhanced voter education.
“As a coalition of INEC accredited election observers to Yobe state, we the undersigned, haven duly performed our duties as INEC accredited observers through and thoroughly in Yobe state, undertake to address this world press conference on the true situation of the general elections in the state.
“We take this as a duty to inform the general public that the elections held in Yobe state were free, fair, smooth, and rancour free in all of its ramifications.
“As against the initial public opinion and general belief that Yobe state, having been an insurgence prone area, could pose a major threat to peaceful, free, and fair elections, the state was quite in a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere throughout the elections.
“Except for the insignificant skirmish that took place at the outskirts of the Gaidam area, of which the Nigerian military had quickly nipped in the bud, there was no incidence of any fracas or election related violence whatsoever.’’
