Come Saturday, June 18, 2022, residents across the 16 local governments of Ekiti state will be casting their votes to elect a new governor. Like every other election in Nigeria, the Ekiti 2022 election is yet another avenue for the citizens to write the scripts of how the next four years of their lives within the state will be.
As the Ekiti 2022 gubernatorial election draws closer, the onus is on the people of Ekiti to effect the change they believe the state needs. This is their right and civic responsibility. It is the pathway they have to let their footsteps show and the route they have to make their voices heard.
As residents cast their votes for a new Governor, the safety of voters and electoral officials remains a priority. Security agencies should ensure violence is avoided at all levels as no election is worth anyone’s life.
Equally, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should demonstrate the will to conduct a free, fair, and credible election by perfecting all preparations within the few days left. The story of late arrival of materials should not come to play on Saturday. Also, a non-functioning or malfunctioning card reader and other appliances should not find their way to any of the polling units. Enough of the low confidence in Nigeria’s election due to the lack of demonstrated capacity by INEC to conduct a credible election.
While the electorate should be allowed to vote for their perceived most competent candidate, the onus is on them to vote their conscience and for their future. The filled pocket on election day cannot sustain them for the next four years of their lives. Hence, their future and that of the state should be prioritized above all.