Voter Apathy Hits Iṣan-Ekiti After Youth’s Fatal Shooting Ahead of Governorship Election

A noticeable level of voter apathy was recorded in Iṣan-Ekiti on Saturday morning as many residents stayed away from polling units following the fatal shooting of a youth in the community on the eve of the Ekiti State governorship election.

A monitoring exercise by journalists showed that electoral activities commenced amid low voter turnout, with many residents expressing concern over the incident, which has cast a shadow over the election in the community.

The deceased was reportedly shot by an unidentified police officer during an altercation on Friday, triggering tension among residents ahead of the poll.

Addressing the situation, the Onisan of Iṣan-Ekiti, Oba Adejuwon, clarified that the incident was not politically motivated and should not be linked to the governorship election.

According to the monarch, the tragedy stemmed from a disagreement involving two youths in the community and was unrelated to any political activity.

Despite the assurances, the incident appeared to have affected voter confidence, with several polling units recording lower-than-expected turnout during the early hours of voting.

Community stakeholders, including the representative of the women in the community, Adesola Adejuwon, President of the Iṣan Progressive Union, Professor Mathew Oluwamukomi and community leader Olaoluwa Daodu, appealed to residents to remain calm and participate peacefully in the electoral process.

They assured residents that the situation had been brought under control and urged eligible voters not to allow the incident to discourage them from exercising their constitutional rights.

The leaders also called on security agencies to maintain vigilance and ensure the safety of lives and property throughout the election period.

The development comes as voters across Ekiti State head to the polls to elect a governor who will lead the state for the next four years.