Jonathan, Wife Experience Card Reader Delay In Otuoke

Uzo Chikere

In Ward 39, Otuoke, Bayelsa State where President Goodluck Jonathan his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan voted it was a different ball game as it took some time for the card reader facility to identify his Permanent Voter Card. Perspiring and waiting for upwards of 20 minutes, the first lady and his (president’s) mother also went through the same experience whilst dabbing sweat on her face and neck. It got to a point where the first lady had to sit as the cumbersome process went on. The president eventually got accredited at 10:58 am.

As at 8:00 am, election observers had arrived even as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials were yet to arrive the polling station where the president was to cast his ballot.  

The president who exhibited a states manly disposition as he patiently waited until the device returned functional response, spoke news men after his accreditation, urging Nigerians not to be discouraged by the slight hick-up experienced in the process of being accredited, pointing out that ‘if I can endure it; you saw me sweating”, Nigerians can go through it.

He enjoined Nigerians to focus on doing the needful rather than emphasizing the difficulties that may accompany the exercises.