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Voters in a queue during a recent election
If it was meant to be a referendum on lack of confidence in the Nigerian electoral process, it was well delivered by the electorate as many stayed away from the polling units in one of the lowest voter turnout in the nation’s history.
The low voter turnout prompted INEC officials in some areas to plead with Nigerians to come out and vote. From North to South, there was a huge drop in the number of voters who turned up at the polls. The apathy however was more prevalent in southern states.
Many youths in some areas of Lagos State turned the major highways and streets to where they can display their football artistry as against voting during the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections.
Some areas visited by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) have some youths who are qualified to vote during the election preferring to jump at the opportunity of the vehicular restriction to turn the highways to football pitches.
In some areas such as Berger, Ojodu, Ikeja and environs, youths were seen playing 5-A-Side football competition, while many that were not playing turned spectators.
However, many of them adduced different reasons for not participating in the election.
Aanuoluwa Adebanjo, 22, said he did not have his Permanent Voters Card (PVC), hence, he could not vote.
“I registered to have my PVC, but I was not given, so I cannot participate in the election,” he said.
For Adebola Shittu, he was not interested in politics, a reason he want to follow his passion of playing football.
“Politics has not helped me in any way, I believe with my skill in football, I can’t make a headway. Let those that are interested in politics continue,” he said.
Mr Augustine Ebiate, 35, told NAN that he registered in his home town in Cross River, adding that he could not go back to cast his vote there.
“I registered in Cross River because that is where I came from, and I cannot because of the election go back there to vote,” he said.
Mr Monday Ujor said that the youth were discouraged to vote because of the failed electoral promises by the politicians.
“The politicians have failed us, they hardly fulfill their promises, so why should we stick our neck out to vote again?
