Nigeria Decides 2019 #ivoted

Today for the first time in my life, I voted as a Nigerian.

It may seem absurd if you are not a Nigerian reading this, but to be honest, I like many other Nigerians have had a lackadaisical attitude towards elections.

It could be from being discouraged by the queues at the polling units, the disorganisation and frustrations of the voting process or the plain resignation that our votes may not count at the end of the day.

Be that as it may, something changed this year, everyone I know, both young and old are all fired up. As Charly Boy says, #ourmumudondo 

The turn out in my area was MASSIVE. Even though I came out towards the end, people were overjoyed to be standing in line to vote. 

I live in Kaduna (just incase you are thinking about my location).

My Experience Today

I left my house at 12:30pm with my baby and neighbours and drove to our polling unit which was about 15-20 blocks away. 

When we arrived, I noticed that they had placed a canopy for voters to queue underneath and I breathed a sigh of relief. Carrying a newborn around such hot weather conditions is extremely exhausting for both mother and baby. 

However, my joy only lasted a few minutes. 

We were stopped by a man by the gate who had a haphazard set of teeth. He inclined us to move closer to him as there was something he wanted to show us on his phone.

We did, thinking it had something to do with helping us get in line, only for him to say he had been sent 20million Naira and if we voted All Progressive Congress (APC) we would each be sent N20,000.

WHAT THE HELL??

ANYWAY!

I was informed that I was at the wrong polling unit and mine was on the opposite side in an open dusty school field. 

My heart sank but I was not deterred.

I drove there with my neighbours wife and within a few seconds I recognised some people I knew. While I was speaking to one of them, an INEC official approached me.

He saw I had a baby and said, “Madam, to be honest, this place is not conducive. It is best you go back home.”

I know he spoke with the best intentions but I was determined to at least give it a chance before giving up. He saw my resolve and told me to park close to the polling unit so it would be convenient for me to get access.

I did that and joined the queue as quickly as I could. 

A few seconds later, a senior INEC official present at the polling unit spotted me and approached me at once. 

“Madam, you are a nursing mother, skip the line!” He bellowed.

“I said go to the front of the line now!”

I was startled but did as he instructed. To my surprise even the people on the queue were in support of his decision. 

My permanent voters card was taken, read and after thumb printing with the card reader, my details were checked on the voters register list and I was given a mark on my left thumb.

Next, I was given my ballot papers and I was told to go to the booth (which was not very private) to vote. Within 10 seconds I was all done and that was it!

From start to finish I was done in 10 minutes! Much to my surprise.

I feel quite happy and fulfilled with this process and I do hope many young people and everyone eligible to vote goes out to do so. 

Thank you INEC.

May our votes count and may the best leaders win!

I pray for a ONE Nigeria and the power is in our hands.

Stay blessed!

Did you vote? What was your experience like?