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A 97-year-old voter, Pa Isaac Adeniran Adesanmi, has urged Nigerians, particularly young people, to remain committed to voting, saying citizens must use the ballot box to influence who leads them.
Adesanmi, a great-grandfather, spoke on Saturday after participating in the Osun State governorship election at NUD Primary School, Collation Centre, Unit 1, Ward 4, Ilase Ijesa, in Obokun Local Government Area.
He was taken to the polling unit by relatives and waited patiently after the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) initially failed to capture his face and fingerprints.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials later assured him that the accreditation would be attempted again.
Adesanmi, whose name appeared as number 116 on the voters’ register, said he had been participating in elections since the era of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
He recalled that he had voted in Kaduna before returning to his home state and said he had continued to participate in elections whenever they were held.
The elderly voter urged young Nigerians not to abandon the electoral process, warning that refusing to vote could leave them without the leaders they want.
“I am 97 years old, and I started voting during the time of Awolowo. I always vote anytime an election comes up. I have been voting in Kaduna before I came back home,” he said.
“I will advise youths to vote because if they do not, the kind of leaders they want will not be there. My message for Nigerians is to continue to vote at all costs and vote for the people they like,” he added.
He also urged whoever emerges as the next governor of Osun State to fulfil the promises made to voters.
“I want them to do as they promise,” he said.
Adesanmi’s participation came as significant voter turnout was recorded in parts of the state, with residents arriving at polling units to cast their ballots.
Having witnessed Nigeria’s political and electoral journey across generations, the 97-year-old voter said continued participation in elections remained important in determining who governs the country and its states.
