The Director General of Micheal Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, MINILS in Ilorin, Kwara State, Comrade Issa Aremu has commended Nigerians for keeping faith with democracy in an atmosphere of peace and harmony despite daunting challenges of governance.
Speaking with the media after casting his vote at Alapata Baboko Ward in Ilorin, on Saturday, Aremu observed that by participating in successive 7th presidential election cycle since 1999, Nigerians have offered leadership in “democratic renaissance and resilience” in Africa.
According to him, with as many as 93 million registered voters, 18 contesting political parties and hundreds of candidates for executive and legislative posts, “Nigeria remains the largest democracy in Africa”.
While commending prompt turnout of voters at some voting wards in Ilorin on Saturday in Kwara State, the Director General however, decried late arrival of INEC officials and shortage of electoral items such as voting stamp.
He said while technology saves time of voter identification and voting, “late coming of INEC officials fueled crisis of expectation and prevented many voters from exercising their civic responsibilities”.
He therefore called for what he described as “improved electoral service delivery” in March 11 gubernatorial election.
Confidence Okwuchi
