Osun Election 2026: 97-Year-Old Urges Nigerians Not To Give Up On Elections

A 97-year-old voter, Pa Isaac Adeniran Adesanmi, has urged Nigerians, particularly youths, not to lose faith in the electoral process, saying citizens must continue to vote to influence the kind of leaders they want.

Adesanmi, a great-grandfather, gave the advice on Saturday after participating in the ongoing Osun State governorship election at NUD Primary School, Collation Centre, Unit 1, Ward 4, Ilase Ijesa, in Obokun Local Government Area of the state.

Brought to the polling unit by his relations, the elderly voter waited patiently after the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) initially failed to capture his face and fingerprints.

INEC officials subsequently assured him that the accreditation process would be attempted again.

Speaking with journalists after the process, Adesanmi, whose name appeared as number 116 on the voters’ register, said he had participated in elections dating back to the era of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

“I am 97 years old, and I started voting during the time of Awolowo. I always vote anytime an election comes up. I have been voting in Kaduna before I came back home,” he said.

He urged Nigerians, especially young people, to remain committed to voting, stressing that abandoning elections could prevent citizens from choosing the leaders they desire.

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

The nonagenarian also urged whoever emerges as winner of the Osun governorship election to fulfil the promises made to the electorate.

“I want them to do as they promise,” he said.

Adesanmi’s participation came amid significant voter turnout recorded in parts of Osun State, with voters arriving at polling units to exercise their franchise under tight security.

For Pa Adesanmi, who has witnessed Nigeria’s political and electoral journey across generations, the message remained straightforward: citizens should not abandon the ballot box.

After nearly a century of participating in elections, the 97-year-old voter believes continued civic participation remains critical to determining who leads Nigeria and its states.