The Indomitable Youth Organisation (IYO), a Non Governmental Organisation, has decried the low turnout of voters across polling units in Benin, the Edo capital.
Dr Bright Oniovokukor, Project Manager, IYO, lamented this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Saturday while commenting on the conduct of 2023 House of Assembly election in the state.
Oniovokukor said that a drive around the metropolis showed a low turnout of voters when compared with the Feb. 25 presidential and National Assembly elections in the state
He said, “I am an Election observer at Egor Local Government Area (LGA), the election is going well; the area is cool and calm, but the turnout is very low,” he said.
NAN reports that there was also voter apathy at Eyean Secondary school, Ward 6, Uhunmwonde LGA, as INEC ad hoc staff were seen waiting for voters to show up.
The situation was also the same at Western Boys High School, Ward 2, Ikpoba Okha LGA of Edo, as there was only a few voters at the polling units as at 10:50 a.m.
Mr Phillip Idemudia, a voter at the polling unit, told NAN that the voters’ apathy was worrisome and not good for democracy.
“The turnout is too poor, this has never happened before in the history of ward 2, as Western Boys High School usually records large turn out of voters.
“My wife said she’s not going to vote today, and most of my friends’ wives are also not here to vote.
“I came out to vote because I want a better Nigeria, but the apathy is terrible,” Idemudia said. (NAN)
