By Ayomikun Inawole Oluwatimilyin
Observing the 2024 local government election held in Kwara state showed the perspective and expectations of the people for the government and their reactions to their activities.
The elections was held for local government offices on Saturday 21st September, 2024, and observing some poling units in the Ilorin west and south, there were widespread inadequacy in the electoral process spearheaded by the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC) .
While the election could be described as peaceful and orderly in Ilorin, people complained of insufficient supply of election materials in most part of the state, leading to protest by members of the opposition and even stoppage of the election in some polling units.
According to reports gathered, voting commenced in most part of Ilorin metropolis around ten O’ Clock instead of eight O’ clock, fixed by KWASIEC. The few places where materials were delivered, critical components such as ballot papers were incomplete, and result sheets missing in all polling units visited. In the Olunlade LGEA polling unit in Ilorin Kwara State the electoral officials and materials did not arrive till around 11.30 am.
This unfortunate situation has left voters frustrated and unable to exercise their democratic rights. The delays and lack of essential materials call into question the credibility and preparedness of KWASIEC and the obvious travesty of the tenets of democracy.
Eligible Electorates Chilling at Home
It was gathered that some market women and traders in Ipata and Ganmo markets in the state capital embarked on their business activities during the local government Elections on Saturday. A student identified simply as Miss Favour, said “where will I go? I was at home chilling, relaxing and sleeping at home”. Another person said that she preferred to monitor her business rather than spend time casting her vote in the hot sun as that is where she gets money to eat and take care of herself”.
Another student identified as Richard Tomiwa, said “We have been voting since we were born, and we have yet to see any effect of those we voted for in the past”. The electoral mindset of Nigeria has reached a new level in which many have just given- up trying to make their voice count and known.
It has been realized that there is still a huge element of electoral apathy amongst Nigerian youths showing a lackadaisical attitude which serves as a detriment to the future of the nation. Another respondent who spoke on the condition of anonymity said “I have not collected my voters’ card and am not even eligible to vote”.
The elections have come and gone and the question persists, how the electoral body (KWASIEC) performed (the personal and materials needed for the election), the turnout of the electorates for the election and the overall conduct for the election.
The election have come and gone with the Chairman of KWASIEC, Mohammed Baba-Okanla declaring the All Progressives Congress (APC) Party, winner of all the 16 Chairmanship seats and the 193 Councillorship positions in the Local council poll of the State.
It is however, worthy of note to say that the impact and consequences of our decisions will definitely outlive the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s led administration, but our attitude, reaction and level of involvement in the democratic process matters to a great extent, reaching the length and breadth of our nationhood.
Remember, a single broom stick will break but in a bunch, it will be stronger, cleaning better.
God bless Kwara State
God bless Nigeria.
Edited by Joseph EMERIBE