Politics
A 94-year-old Chief David Edebiri on Saturday blamed the apathy that characterised the House of Assembly election in Edo on loss of interest among youths.
Edebiri, the Esogban of Benin kingdom, spoke with newsmen shortly after he voted at Unit 19, Ward 2 of Oredo Local Government Area of Edo.
He said the large turnout during the Feb. 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state could be described as a fluke that died immediately down, when the desired result failed to materialise.
“Some of the things that happened last two weeks was just merely what we call just a fluke; they were not real,” he said.
He explained that those who voted during the presidential and national assembly elections did so not along party affiliations.
“They came for a purpose; that is to make some statements and when that statement failed, their interests also waned.
“That is why you see there is nobody here today,” said the highly revered palace chief.
The nonagenarian said that he had been voting since 1951, when he was 22.
“I have performed my civic right to vote in this election as I did two weeks ago.
“It may interest you to know that I started voting at the age of 22; that was in December 1951 in the regional election to the House of Assembly at Ibadan.
“We were then part of Western region. Since then, I have not failed to vote in any election, be it national or sub-nationals.
“I thank God I am alive to take part in this particular exercise,” he said.
Edebiri, however, adjudged the Feb. 25 presidential and national elections as the best he had seen and participated in over the last 72 years. (NAN)
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Tags: Chief David Edebiri
