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Elderly voters in some parts of Ikere-Ekiti reported lengthy delays and technical issues with voter-capturing devices as polling began in Saturday’s Ekiti governorship election.
Ariyo Ojo, a pensioner, said he had been at his polling unit since 8:00 am but had yet to vote.
“I have been here since 8 o’clock… only two people have voted. They were complaining that the capturing devices is not working well,” Ojo told News Central TV.
“The elderly people have been here since morning but have been unable to vote,” he added.
Despite the delays, many elderly voters expressed determination to participate in the election, citing hopes for improved job opportunities for their children.
Arike Ariyo, a pensioner, said she was voting because she wanted “my children to be able to eat and get good jobs.”
Mose Ogunipe, a retiree who has been retired since 2012, said he was exercising his civic right as a Nigerian from Ekiti.
“I am voting because I am a Nigerian from Ekiti, so I have the right to come out and vote,” Ogunipe told News Central TV.
He said he wanted the next government to provide jobs for graduates, noting that only one of his three graduate children has a job.
“I am hoping this election is peaceful,” Ogunipe added.
Heavy security personnel from the Nigerian Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were deployed across Ikere-Ekiti, with entry and exit points barricaded to enforce movement restrictions.
Vehicles and motorcycles were stopped from advancing, with residents only allowed to move on foot, while shops and restaurants remained closed.
Accredited journalists covering the election were allowed to proceed with their vehicles bearing INEC stickers.
Ikere-Ekiti is the community of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy Governorship candidate, Mrs Monisade Afuye, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Candidate, Dr Oluwole Oluyede.
