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For more than two weeks, resident and diaspora citizens in the most populous black nation in the world have been actively and passively involved in choosing the leaders that will administrate the country for the next four years. What is most significant is the level of concern, interest and contribution on the part of Nigerians to make sure their choicest candidates get the win.
On February 16, many Nigerians literally started spending their entire data plans and battery life just to keep to tabs on happenings around the country using their Twitter accounts. Surely, online media houses did their best to furnish us with as many updates as possible. But none of these efforts can be compared to the instantaneous technology of tweets and threads. Information, from that day, spread like wildfire, burning every single polling unit in its wake. And because elections don’t happen every day, here are some of the most interesting Nigerian poll tweets of all time.
Election Postponement
In what was no doubt a world record and first of its kinds, the Independent National Electoral Committee (INEC) suspended Nigeria’s polls just a few hours before it was set to open. Many Nigerians had travelled far and wide to exercise their rights, and the news of the postponement was no doubt dumped on by all and sundry. While Professor Mahmood Yakubu – INEC Chairman – and his team know best what led to the incidence, here are the reactions we extracted from Twitter.
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They have succeeded in postponing the elections na, since last year they fixed the date, few hours to voting time when people have gone to sleep they decided to postpone due to logistic challenges. Las las we must vote sha, come what may, even if they fix it on an invisible day.
— AngelsAreReal (@pansybng) February 16, 2019
Move around today with your PVCs oh so that if INEC changes their mind, we’ll also be ready since we all want to be mad in this country. ?#2019Elections
— Tutu of Port Harcourt (@TutuAbbey) February 16, 2019
They don’t even rate us in this country ?? #2019Elections pic.twitter.com/NtZjFr8EgG
— IBUKUN ✨ (@gummiee_bear) February 16, 2019
And now, the fracas…
After the postponement of Election this is what we get?
We begged for proper accommodation and they brought insufficient Mats
Inec AD-hoc staff fights for mat to sleep on??#NigeriaDecides2019 #2019Elections pic.twitter.com/HXz9v4TJb9
— Obumere Glory (@Glowhree_) February 22, 2019
A Logistical nightmare? We haven't learnt from history in this country. This has taken us to the stone age. The INEC chairman, gave no logical reasons to balance our psyche; which means he saw this coming.
— Ike (@Ikechukwu877) February 16, 2019
Now, the deserters.
Please help a sister ooo. I want to go to Canada before 23 February but I can't find the motor park. Help me leave this country oooo I beg you'll. pic.twitter.com/kJPJEBpk9u
— SOMTOCHUKWU ? (@GianaBereta) February 16, 2019
INEC go hear am today o! Canada is already trending at no.3 on twitter. Nigerians are tired. Someone even said Australia is not really that far. Abeg, I not fit laugh, my PVC is paining me. #inec #NigeriaDecides2019 pic.twitter.com/OA6K1QIgHU
— Frank Donga™ (@frankdonga_) February 16, 2019
Please where can I get bus from Ibadan to Ontario Canada ?
Nigeria am not doing again pic.twitter.com/QHLDGnFLbb— Poju Cruz (@kvngPoju) February 16, 2019
Guys I bring good news???
I found Ewa Agoyin joint in Toronto, my cousins said they saw another one at Quebec.Let me know your locations so I can send you the address
Welcome to Canada guys pic.twitter.com/IicxZvFXHi
— OLA Canada (@danielholks) February 16, 2019
The Polls
After all, INEC slated 23rd February 2019 for the general elections. While some refused to believe this date and feared it as another tentative fix, others came out in mass to vote. Whatsapp updates literally made my phone hang, and the trend was nothing short of multiple waves getting in each other’s way.
Dear Nigerians,
The slogan for #NigeriaDecides is “We must vote”
It’s your right!pic.twitter.com/mCXK2esWI3
— Uchenna (@Demoore90210) February 23, 2019
Electoral material arriving unit 22 on Water cooperation drive, Oniru, Lagos at 8:57 am. #NigeriaDecides2019 #NigeriaDecides410 pic.twitter.com/sQbFsNDODZ
— Wole Famurewa (@WoleFamurewa) February 23, 2019
The ballot boxes. #NigeriaDecides2019 #NigeriaDecides410 pic.twitter.com/TE6vIMv355
— Wole Famurewa (@WoleFamurewa) February 23, 2019
#NigeriaDecides410: Voters at Asokoro 111, ECOWAS secretariat (Garki) all smiles and ready to cast their votes. #NigeriaDecides2019 #2019Elections pic.twitter.com/ev6YIuzpNZ
— CNBC Africa (@cnbcafrica) February 23, 2019
#NigeriaDecides410: Counting and sorting ongoing at polling unit 028 Maitama, Abuja and polling unit 037 Victoria Island, Lagos respectively. #NigeriaDecides2019 #2019Elections pic.twitter.com/340LeLKsu4
— CNBC Africa (@cnbcafrica) February 23, 2019
Voting done and dusted, my polling Unit was generally peaceful, though we had to stay in the sun for over two hours, it was a time well spent chatting with neighbors, especially my @elevationng connect group members who turned out to cast their votes. #election2019 #ivoted pic.twitter.com/MaYoBFvxWw
— Godman Akinlabi (@PGeeman) February 23, 2019
Everyone go out! A lot of units stared late but as far as you're in the queue before 2pm they can't tell you anything! Your vote go count! Whether na 10pm them ready! All man must vote!
— Davido (@iam_Davido) February 23, 2019
You too much! When they are ready people will vote today today !! Enough is enough!! https://t.co/oC57B6aoCc
— Davido (@iam_Davido) February 23, 2019
The Mishaps
While the US and Canada urged Nigerians to go out and cast their votes, some rathered to stay home and watch. In some parts of the country, some level of violence from thugs and hooligans were recorded. As a result, some of the polls in such parts have been cancelled and postponed. Also, there were some funny moments. The woman lying on a mat above, waiting in line fr her turn, is the least of it.
#NigeriaDecides2019 #NigeriaDecides Watch this video and see how @OfficialAPCNg thugs disrupted voting processes in Lagos state, chased away @inecnigeria officials because @OfficialPDPNig won the election in the polling unit @inecnigeria, please take note pic.twitter.com/hb3Qt4pnmH
— Official PDP Nigeria (@OfficialPDPNig) February 23, 2019
And she was wakaing about.. ???????..#ElectionDay#NigeriaDecides#NigeriaDecides2019 #ElectionNotWar pic.twitter.com/CP7zQXwWXT
— Etinosa ✍️ (@etinosirr) February 23, 2019
Mass vote buying. What a value exchange for #1000#IrisObserverApp #ElectionDay #Nigeriadecides pic.twitter.com/dFbztGdfF3
— Bayo Ajayi (@don4rhyme) February 23, 2019
How I wish elections were this organized all over Nigeria. Not every time violence video, let’s share when we see things like this. Well done Timi. #NigeriaDecides19 #TheVerdict2019 pic.twitter.com/EWk2jOwzdd
— Sally Oyeb (@SallyOyeb) February 23, 2019
ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA, 23.02.2019 pic.twitter.com/8E1Mpfcvjz
— Bishop Wilfred Mtshwene (@BishopMtshwene) February 23, 2019
PHOTOS: Witches In Nigeria Host Emergency Rally, Endorse President Buhari For Second Term
A group of witches yesterday organised a mini rally after visiting the residents of Okene in Kogi State ahead of the Saturday’s elections. After the meeting, the witches who endorsed pic.twitter.com/L3FpczfcoS
— Oshodi whatsup?? (@OshodiWhatsup) February 22, 2019
President Muhammad Buhari says he is hopeful that the elections will go well, and looks forward to congratulating himself at the conclusion of the voting exercise. #TGNElectionWatch #ElectionDay #Nigeria #Buhari #APC #NigeriaDecides2019 #INEC #TheGuardianNG pic.twitter.com/refHi1GNtf
— The Guardian Nigeria (@GuardianNigeria) February 23, 2019
VIDEO: Violence mars 2019 Nigeria general elections https://t.co/7TcOFjBjQh pic.twitter.com/R62Z2BUMLs
— Urbanrock.net (@urbanrockonline) February 24, 2019
Do you really still think that your vote will count in nigeria presidential election or any other election be held in nigeria when the result sheet are being burnt to ashes before your very eyes???????
No matter what you do, elections in nigeria can never be free and fair!! pic.twitter.com/ycnQeVHNLN
— Ikechiukwu Igboke Chijoke Nwa-Biafra (@David_Igboke092) February 23, 2019
35 People Reportedly Killed During Nigeria’s General Elections https://t.co/etchY6aPIZ pic.twitter.com/HfwsJVYE8Z
— Chinenye Ofokansi (@chinenye46091) February 25, 2019
Trust no one.Even your wife??.
Buhari trying to cross check Aisha's Vote.? pic.twitter.com/KbwOItMnUT— YOUR.PASTOR'S.SON ?? (@coke_ita) February 23, 2019
#Buhari Taking No Chances. A bit of humour hurts no one. #NigeriaDesides pic.twitter.com/iHRojiYTTk
— Juliet Bawuah (@julietbawuah) February 23, 2019
I just exercised my franchise #NigeriaDecides2019. #NigeriaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/rp2v8hwI1I
— Niyi Adeogun (@mrniyiadeogun) February 23, 2019
Two vote buyers arrested by EFCC operatives in Gombe during the Presidential, National Assembly Elections on February 23, 2019. #NigeriaVoteWatch2019 pic.twitter.com/8sND2jxY85
— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) February 23, 2019
Awaiting Results
So the polls have been concluded and the votes are being counted. As citizens all over the country have resumed work, they constantly refresh their Twitter accounts to keep to tabs with the developments. Here are the highlights.
2. It has also come to our notice that some election "results" are circulating on the various social media platforms, Kindly disregard such "results" as only INEC is constitutionally empowered to declare the outcome of the elections. #NigeriaDecides2019 pic.twitter.com/ZRph2cCBZ5
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) February 24, 2019
Nigeria election result on Twitter vs INEC results…#NigeriaDecides2019 #nigeriavotes pic.twitter.com/TlebqXkjMJ
— ?A.S.A? (@Ellyment247) February 24, 2019
Election Update: Youth Corper Caught Manipulating Election Results [Photo] https://t.co/A7kSvVkHTB pic.twitter.com/Azw1gfRu9h
— Top Trends Nigeria (@TopTrendsNig) February 24, 2019
Today even resemble public holoday sef. pic.twitter.com/7yFPBXjytX
— Lasisielenu (@lasisielenu) February 25, 2019
BREAKING:
Don't tamper with Nigerian peoples mandate, we have results from polling units across Nigeria in our cloud storage, International Election Monitoring group warn INEC.
He who has ears let him hear o#NigeriaDecides2019 #AtikuIsWinning pic.twitter.com/4aa9X7ROMA
— Mutawalle Tweeter (@gentleojay) February 24, 2019
After seeing some results from the SE and this video as hilarious as it is ehn ?? is a close representation of how the SE hates the party APC.
Buhari in all the his years of contesting election in Nigeria have never won SE #fact pic.twitter.com/bn43Fb9hXp
— If¥™ (@nnekei) February 25, 2019
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