#OsunDecide2026: 97-year-old voter advises Nigerians on elections

A 97-year-old man, Isaac Adesanmi, has said he would continue to vote during elections because of his interest in ensuring good governance in the country.

Mr Adesanmi was among some elderly voters spotted at NUD Primary School, Collation Centre, Unit 1, Ward 4, Ilase-Ijesa, in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State, during Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria that it is the civic duty of any right-thinking person to cast his ballot during an election, adding that whether you vote or not when a contender emerges winner, he will govern over you.

Mr Adesanmi who was assisted to the polling unit by his relative, said he was happy that he took part in the exercise.

Although Mr Adesanmi experienced a slight delay because the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) could not capture his face and fingerprints, he later voted after repeated attempts when the machine captured his fingerprints.

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) urged him to be patient, assuring him they would make another attempt.

Mr Adesanmi, whose name was number 116 on the voters’ register, said he had been voting since the days of the late Obafemi Awolowo, then-premier of the defunct Western Region of Nigeria.

“I am 97 years old and I started voting during the time of Awolowo.

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“I always vote whenever an election comes up. I have been voting in Kaduna before I returned home,” he said.

Mr Adesanmi urged youths and other Nigerians to vote wisely for a better future.

“My message to Nigerians is to continue to vote at all election and for the right people because that is key to good governance,” he said.

When asked what advice he had for whoever emerged as the winner of the election, the nonagenarian urged the winner to fulfil the promises made during the electioneering campaigns.