Osun election: Adeleke leads Oyebamiji

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File: Governor Ademola Adeleke

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· Vote sold for N30, 000 as violence mars poll

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·Aregbesola loses PU to Oyebamiji

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By Dayo Johnson, Dapo Akinrefon & Shina Abubakar

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Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party jumped into early lead over his All Progressives Congress, APC, challenger, Mr Bola Oyebamiji, in the tightly contested Osun State governorship election, last night.

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With results from 3,292 polling units or 87.5 percent of the 3,763 polling units uploaded by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as of press time, Adeleke had garnered over 439,132 votes compared to Oyebamiji’s 379,255 votes.

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The poll recorded impressive voter turnout but was marred by vote-buying and violence.

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Despite assurances of a violence-free exercise, there were pockets of violence recorded in some areas across the state.

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Adeleke sweeps polling unit

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Adeleke won his polling unit at Ward 02, PU 009, Abogunde Compound, Ede North LGA, by polling 421 votes.

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The announcement sparked jubilation among supporters who gathered at the unit.

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Earlier in the day, Adeleke voted at Sagba Abogunde Ward 2, Unit 9, and said he was confident of victory.

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Omisore loses polling unit

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Adeleke equally won the polling unit of former Osun Deputy Governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore, who, a few days before the election, declared his support for Oyebamiji

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Results on the INEC Result Viewing Portal, IReV, showed that Accord polled 131 votes at PU 003, Ife Ward 1, Moore, St. Gabriel Primary School, Ife East LGA.

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The APC finished second with 85 votes, while ADC got 10 votes. Other parties recorded marginal votes.

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Gov defeats Oyinlola at polling unity

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Earlier, the governor won at the polling unit of former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola in Okuku, Odo-Otin LGA, with 125 votes. APC got 85 votes, ADC 5. Oyinlola publicly declared his support for APC’s Oyebamiji after a spat with the governor.

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Oyebamiji wins Aregbesola’s polling unit

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However, the APC’s Oyebamiji recorded a landslide win at the polling unit of former Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in Ilesa.

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Results from the unit showed APC polling 256 votes to defeat Adeleke, who scored 43 votes.

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Aregbesola, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, National Secretary, worked for Dr Najeem Salaam, the party’s standard-bearer, who finished third with 13 votes.

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The former governor, a major political figure in Ijesaland, voted at the unit earlier in the day amid heavy presence of voters and observers.

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ICC raises alarm over plan to declare poll inconclusive

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Meanwhile, the Imole Campaign Council, ICC, yesterday, alleged that there was a plot by lNEC to declare the election inconclusive.

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Chairman of its Media and Publicity, Bamidele Salam, said the move was being pushed by APC governors and leaders to frustrate the “imminent victory” of Senator Adeleke of the Accord Party.

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Salam, in a statement, said: “Our party wishes to inform Nigerians of a sinister plan by INEC to declare the ongoing governorship election inconclusive, to hijack our candidate’s victory and subvert the will of the gallant Osun electorate.”

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He urged INEC Chairman to honour his pledge of a free, fair and credible poll, and reminded INEC, APC and security agencies of President Bola Tinubu’s directive that the election should not be compromised.

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Salam also called on the ‘’IGP, DSS DG, and NSCDC Commandant-General to provide security at all collation centres to stop “hoodlums hired by the APC.”

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He cited reports of ballot box snatching in some polling units and demanded arrests.

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Salam further called on local and international observers to speak out “on the side of the law and people of Osun State.”

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Political parties engage in vote-buying

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Meanwhile, agents of the frontline parties were seen engaging in vote-buying.

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At AUD Primary School in Atile, Ikire, Irewole LGA, Sunday Vanguard observed that party agents stationed themselves around polling booths to monitor the voters.

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The move, it was observed, was to monitor voters and their ballot papers to ensure they cast their votes for their candidate.

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It was further observed that as soon as a voter casts his or her vote, a party agent hands over a tag to enable the voter claim his or her cash.

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An Accord Party agent, Ajayi Ayodele, was seen accusing APC agents of clustering around the polling booths to monitor the ballot papers.

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Agents of the APC made similar allegations against Accord Party.

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Security agents were unable to curb the activities of the party agents.

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A security agent, names withheld, lamented that he had tried to prevent the agents from loitering around the polling booths but his efforts proved abortive.

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It was further gathered that political parties offered between N30,000 and N20,000 to induce voters.

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ICPC monitors polling units

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As a way of preventing inducement of voters, the operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, were on the ground in Ejigbo.

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The officials of the anti-graft agency monitored activities in several polling units across the local government headquarters, including Unit 009, Ward 001; Unit 005, Ward 003; and Unit 006 and Ward 004.

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At the units visited, ICPC operatives observed the conduct of voters and party agents, and inspected activities around the polling centres.

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Their presence attracted attention, with some voters pausing to watch as the officials carried out monitoring duties.

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Civil society flays vote- buying

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Submitting its report on the election, the Co-Convener of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Celestine Odo, said there were reports of vote-buying and electoral inducement.

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He said: “There were observations of vote-buying and all forms of electoral inducement, including sharing of Jollof Rice and drinks in PU008, Ward 6 Isokan LGA, which caused a lot of disorderliness. The credibility of an election is fundamentally undermined when voters are pressured or induced to exchange their votes for money, gifts or other benefits. Political actors must respect the freedom of voters to make their choices without coercion.”

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Police arrest lawmaker

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Before the exercise took off, Osun State Police Command arrested a serving member of the State House of Assembly, Mr Ibrahim Inaolaji, alongside 143 suspected electoral mercenaries camped at his residence in Ikire.

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The lawmaker, who represents Irewole/Isokan State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, was arrested on Friday night during an operation. More than 200 Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, were reportedly recovered during the operation.

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In a video clip, Ibrahim was seen making a preliminary statement where he identified himself and allegedly confessed to facilitating the movement of the 146 suspects into Osun State from neighbouring states.

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According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were brought into Osun from Ondo State to participate in unlawful electoral activities.

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The suspects reportedly told investigators that they were recruited by a yet-to-be-identified politician, who allegedly facilitated the procurement of voters’ cards for them and instructed them to vote in exchange for financial rewards.

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The Command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said investigations had commenced to identify and apprehend other accomplices still at large and to unravel the full extent of the alleged network involved in the recruitment of electoral mercenaries, voter inducement and other related offences.

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ADC candidate, Salaam escapes

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assassination

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The exercise took a dangerous turn as ADC governorship candidate, Mr Najeem Salaam, reportedly escaped assassination in Ejigbo area of the state.

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Salaam, according to the party’s Publicity Secretary in the state, Abosede Oluwaseun, escaped an alleged assassination attempt at Ward 4, Unit 13, in Ejigbo Local Government Area, shortly after casting his vote.

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Oluwaseun said the party’s candidate “was swiftly whisked away by concerned locals who acted quickly to prevent the situation from escalating.

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“Had it not been for the timely intervention and intelligence of residents at the scene, what happened could have resulted in yet another tragic loss of life.”

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He said the incident disrupted voting and was accompanied by alleged electoral irregularities, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the voting process in the affected area.

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“This is unacceptable. Democracy must never become a battlefield, and no Nigerian should have to risk their life simply for exercising their constitutional right to vote.

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“We call on security agencies and relevant authorities to immediately investigate this incident, identify those responsible, and ensure the safety of all voters, party agents and candidates.

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“Dr. Najeem Salaam is alive. He remains resolute in his bid to rescue Osun from the shackles of bad governance.”

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I’m confident of winning – Salaam

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Despite the assassination attempt on his life, Salaam said he is confident of victory if the election is conducted freely and fairly.

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He said the people of Osun were “behind his candidacy and eager for change.”

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The former Speaker of the House of Assembly, said: “Without manipulation, I will win this election. The people of Osun are behind me, and they are ready for change.

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“What we have been hearing from across the state shows that there is a strong desire for a new direction.”

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Journalists escape death in Ejigbo

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Similarly, journalists, who monitored the exercise in Ejigbo, were not spared as hoodlums attacked their vehicles, smashing vehicle windscreens and side screens.

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Some of the reporters escaped being lynched as suspected hoodlums went haywire, forcing electoral officials to stop the voting process at the unit.

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Adeleke condemns arrest of Osun PDP chair, demands release

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Frowning at what he described as “sheer abuse of law enforcement” to intimidate supporters, Governor Ademola condemned the arrest of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chairman in the state, Mr Sunday Bisi, in his home after he had voted.

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The governor described it as barbaric and a vicious attack on free will.

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The governor, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, disclosed that the PDP chairman was arrested at his home shortly after casting his vote.

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Adeleke said: “Information reaching me indicates that Mr Bisi was accosted in his home in Ilesa shortly after he returned after voting, and whisked him away to a yet-to-be-known location. Up until this moment, no one has provided the reason for his arrest, which indicates that the APC is working in cohort with compromised security agents to keep people away from monitoring results at the various collation centres.

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“This latest sweep on my supporters, I have authoritatively learned, is part of a broader plan to give the APC unhindered access to change results at collation centres and upturn our wins at the poll.

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“This is the biggest assault on democracy, and I urge everyone involved in this desperate attempt to upturn the will of our people through the use of state institutions.

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“In that regard, I am calling for the immediate release of Mr Bisi because his arrest is nothing but political and other political prisoners across Osun State. Elections should be about the people freely giving their mandates to the person of their choice without threat or force.”

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Adewusi, Adereti’s supporters clash in Ife

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There was a brief disruption at the polling unit of Osun State Deputy Governor and Accord Party’s deputy governorship candidate, Prince Kola Adewusi, in Ile-Ife, after a confrontation broke out between supporters.

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The incident occurred when APC deputy governorship candidate, Benjamin Kayode Adereti, arrived at the polling unit.

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Both party leaders are from Ile-Ife.

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Adereti had earlier voted at his designated polling unit, Waasin Polling Unit 11, Ilaare Ward 3, before proceeding to Adewusi’s polling location.

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It was gathered that his presence was challenged by some supporters of Adewusi who were already at the unit, leading to heated exchanges and raised tensions.

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The confrontation briefly disrupted the peaceful atmosphere at the polling unit before calm was restored.

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The reason for Adereti’s visit to the deputy governor’s polling unit could not be confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

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Adeleke’s camp accuses security agents of intimidation

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The Imole Campaign Council, ICC, yesterday, accused the Nigerian Army and other security agencies of partisanship and intimidation in Osun State, warning that the military must not be used as “pawns in the hands of desperate power-seeking politicians.”

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The ICC, in a statement by its spokesperson, Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleged that soldiers stormed the homes of Accord Party leaders across the state, especially in Osun East Senatorial District, and arrested key party members on election day.

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He said: “Over 15 trucks of soldiers raided residences on Friday night and detained innocent individuals.

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“This development is shocking and undemocratic. Innocent citizens should not be picked up on election day.”

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EU observers report vote trading, BVAS glitches

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The EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub, EU-SDGN EOH, reported 323 cases of electoral offences and 38 security incidents during the exercise.

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In its preliminary statement, the Hub said the figures were based on reports from 823 accredited observers deployed across the 30 LGAs of the state.

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The Hub comprises CEMESO, IPC, NWTF, TAF Africa, The Kukah Centre and Yiaga Africa.

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The Hub said 2,339,233 voters were registered, with 1,906,390, or 81.5%, collecting PVCs.

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Of the 726 polling units observed, officials with complete materials arrived in 608 units, 83.7%, between 7:30am and 8am. Another 75 units got materials between 8am-8:30am, and 42 units between 8:30am-11am. One PU had not opened by 11am.

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58 BVAS devices, 7.9%, malfunctioned, but 41, 70.7%, were rectified. Turnout was described as “impressive” and voting was largely peaceful and orderly.

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The 323 infractions, it stated, included “103 cases of vote trading, 85 cases of exposed ballots, 38 cases of campaigning at PUs, 31 cases of voter obstruction, 28 cases of inducement of officials, 14 cases of impersonation, 12 cases of multiple voting and 7 cases of official misconduct.”

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Security incidents recorded included thuggery, attacks on officials and voter intimidation. Specific cases were cited at PU 29-10-10-005, Igbon DC School, Ejigbo and PU 29-26-01-002 & PU 29-30-06-015, Okanla Area, Osogbo.

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Octogenarian casts ballot, charges young voters

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On the sidelines, age was no barrier for Chief Ramon Busari, the Oluode of Ejigbo, as he joined other voters at Unit 04, Ward 1 to cast his ballot during the exercise.

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The 80-year-old traditional title holder was seen patiently waiting on the queue, saying voting remains both a right and a responsibility.

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Busari, who said: “I still feel obliged to help choose leaders for our state,’’ used the opportunity to charge young people to come out and vote.

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He said: “Your votes matter. Do not stay away from the polls. Participate peacefully and decide the future you want.”

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According to him, abstaining from elections cedes power to others.

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Don’t give up on elections, 97-year-old voter urges Nigerians

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Also, a 97-year-old great grandfather, Pa Isaac Adeniran Adesanmi, yesterday, said he would always vote during any election because it is his civic right.

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The elder statesman is one of the elderly who joined the electorate at NUD Primary School, Collation Centre, Unit 1, Ward 4, Ilase Ijesa in Obokun Local Government Area to cast their votes.

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Adesanmi was brought to the polling unit by his relatives to exercise his franchise.

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However, Pa Adesanmi could not be accredited on time as the BVAs could not capture his face and fingerprint.

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INEC officials urged him to be patient and promised to try it again.

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In an interview, Pa Adesanmi, whose number on the voters list is 116, said he had not stopped voting since he started during the days of the late Obafemi Awolowo.

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

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

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On his advice for the youths and other Nigerians, he said: “I will advise youths to vote because if they do not, the type of leaders they want will not be there. My message to Nigerians is to continue to vote at all costs and vote for the people they like.”

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Asked to advise the potential winner after the voting exercise, the nonagenarian said: “I want them to do as they promise.”

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