Ekiti elders share their voting experiences and hopes

Some elderly citizens who voted in Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State talk about their hopes and challenges with BOLA BAMIGBOLA and ADEYINKA ADEDIPE

I want good governance for my grandchildren, 86-year-old Alli Sanni

I had to pay for a motorcycle to get here. My home is a bit far. I struggle to move around. My legs are weak.

I am 86 years old. I have been part of elections since the 1950s.

I voted in the late 1950s. I voted when Adelabu Penkelemesi was alive in Ibadan. I have voted in many elections since then.

I am not tired of voting. I care even more about it now. I am getting older, but I will keep supporting any party that looks after the people. I may be old, but my children and grandchildren will benefit from good governance if we elect good leaders. My legs are sore. I cannot walk well, but I got my voter’s card and prepared to vote today.

I am happy with the APC (All Progressives Congress) government. During the time of Obafemi Awolowo, we had free education. That is why I support this party. I do not know if the current governor was born when I started voting, but I like his approach. I know his town in Ikogosi very well.

Many of my age mates cannot vote. Some cannot see well, and others cannot walk anymore. Life is full of challenges. I am just grateful to God for the chance to be here today. Most of my classmates from 1949 have passed away.

They treated me well when I got here. They gave me a chair because of my age. The voting machine was not working (BVAS did not read fingerprints and faces). They told me to wait. I hoped the issue would be fixed soon because I wanted to vote. It would have made me happy to vote early.

Voting will bring progress to Nigeria, Septuagenarian, Joel Adewale

I had to come out to vote because it is my civic duty as a good Nigerian. That is what I must do. As a senior citizen, I need to show a good example to the younger ones.

Those who did not vote are not good Nigerians.

They should not give up. They need to care about the progress of our country. We should all work for the country’s betterment, not its decline.

I believe that voting will help Nigeria grow. If we vote, we can bring in good leaders who will change things for the better.

I am not sure when I started voting, but I know I began when I turned 18. I have taken part in many elections in Nigeria. I will keep voting as long as I am healthy.

INEC said my card’s photo different from database image, 91-year-old Mathew Omotayo

My name is Mathew Omotayo, and I am 91 years old. I vote in Ikere Ekiti. I have been voting for 28 years.

The officials said the photo on my voter’s card is different from what they have in their system. They told me this must be sorted out before I could vote. I told them that since my name is on the list, I should be allowed to vote, but they refused. I arrived at the polling unit around 7:30 am.

BVAS couldn’t capture my face, 120-year-old woman

I am Mary Ajangbala. I am over 100 years old and from Iyin Ekiti. I got to this polling unit around 9 am, but the BVAS could not capture my face.

I used the ages of my peers and my first child to guess my age. Based on that, I should be around 120 years old now.

No, I have been voting for a long time. I voted when former governor Niyi Adebayo was elected.

I believe our votes will count, 80-year-old Michael Fakiyesi

My name is Michael Fakiyesi. I am over 80 years old. I vote here in Ado Ekiti. I came to the polling unit to cast my vote.

I arrived very early, hoping to vote and go home quickly.

I believe that voting matters. I care about voting, and that is why I came to the polling unit. I believe our votes count.

Purdah delayed our voting process, Mariam Abudlazeez

My name is Mariam Abudlazeez. I am a woman in purdah. I vote in Iyin Ekiti. I do not find it difficult. It is not a big deal.

No, this is not my first time voting. I have voted in elections for some governors before.

When I got here, I was told to wait because I could not vote with my purdah on. My friends and I came in purdah, and we could not remove our veils to vote. They made special arrangements for us.

I arrived at the polling unit around 9 am. I am okay waiting until they can help me. I came to vote for the candidate I want as governor, and not voting early because of my dress will not discourage me.

Being in purdah should not stop anyone from voting. Women like me should not hide behind religion and avoid their civic duties. They should come out and vote for their preferred candidates.