Edo LG Poll: Voter apathy deepens as youths play football, traders shun exercise

Several youths in Benin metropolis on Saturday shunned the Edo State local government election, opting to play football instead, as voter apathy and low turnout characterised the exercise across many polling units in the state.

DAILY POST reports that the youths, who are of voting age, said they decided not to participate in the election because they had little interest in the electoral process and believed there was no real political competition.

The election was conducted by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) to elect chairmen for the 18 local government councils and councillors for the 192 wards.

DAILY POST also observed that, besides the youths, some market women and traders shunned the election and instead went about their businesses.

The youths were seen playing football in Oredo and Egor Local Government Areas of Benin metropolis.

They were playing football on the field of Uselu Secondary School, the voting centre for Polling Units 1 to 10, Ward 8, Egor Local Government Area, while voting was ongoing.

A similar situation was observed in Ward 4 opposite Emokpae Primary School, Mission Road, and along Forestry Street in Ward 12 near the premises of the Edo City Transport Service, where several polling units were located.

The youths mounted goalposts and played football in different groups.

Speaking, one of the players, Samson Osagie, said he was not motivated to participate in the election, describing it as lacking genuine political competition.

According to him, the election had already been decided because the All Progressives Congress (APC) was the only major political party participating.

“We do not even know some of the candidates in the election,” he said.

Also speaking, Thompson Momoh attributed his absence from the polling unit to his inability to obtain his Permanent Voter Card (PVC).

“I just registered for my voter’s card and it is yet to be ready. If it is ready before the 2027 election, I will vote.

“Meanwhile, I joined the football match because there is a restriction order and I can’t go to work today,” he added.

On his part, Paul Omoregie said he participated in the football match because it was part of his regular weekend routine.

Omoregie explained that he played football at the venue every Saturday and that this Saturday would not be an exception.

Some traders were also seen at Oba Market, Lagos Street, Ebiwe, Mission Road and Forestry Street displaying their wares for sale while the election was in progress.