Elderly residents of Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo, flocked to polling stations on Saturday to participate in the ongoing governorship election, making history with a record turnout of senior citizens.

Many were seen walking with the aid of clutches and walking sticks, while others received assistance from family members.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the large turnout was largely driven by a strong motivation to support the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, a native of Ewohimi.

The scene was particularly heartwarming, as many elderly individuals expressed their determination to exercise their civic rights, with some having not voted in years.

Mr Honda Ikehide, the 91-year-old community head, said “I have lived long enough to know when something important is happening.

“Today, we are standing with our own.”

Similarly, Mr Wilson Bello shared, “It is a great day for us.

“Our people are united, especially our elderly, who understand the significance of this moment.

“Ewohimi has never seen this level of participation by our elderly population, and it is because we believe in the capacity and vision of our son, who is one of us.”

Bello said that the atmosphere was filled with optimism and a sense of shared purpose, as the community expressed hope for a brighter future with one of their own vying for a leadership position.

“Our turnout, in spite of the odds, is a testament to our resolve and desire for progress of Ewohimi and the state in general.

“This sentiment reflects the broader aspirations of the Esan people, who feel it’s their turn to produce the governor, given their significant contribution to Edo State.”(NAN)

The candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the ongoing Edo State gubernatorial election, Olumide Akpata has cast his vote.

Akpata cast his vote at Oredo Ward 6, Unit 11 with smiles, creating the impression that the election would favour him.

His words: “I voted according to the voting process and everything went well.

“I want to hope that this is the experience of every Edo voter. I cannot make assumptions standing here.

“I am going to wait for feedback from around the different units and 192 wards in the state.

“We are hopeful that this will be the experience of every Edo voter”.

“I am calling on INEC that the playing field should remain level. Nobody should be given any undue advantage.

“All party agents should be allowed into the collation centres, so that we can all witness the process.

“Edo election is an off cycle election so INEC should have the luxury of deploying it’s resources to show the world that they can do it well.

“‘The playing field should be totally  levelled to allow the best man or women to win.

‘I am hearing some concerning feedback from around the state but I cannot make any statement until I verify the source of my information.

“We have crossed one hurdle, I have voted and my supporters should be allowed to vote, he said”.

The former Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, chairman, yesterday denied reports that he had resigned from the governorship race and directed his followers to vote for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Addressing a press conference in his office, Akpata said “This falsehood is illustrative of the evil machinations of those who have held our State captive for a quarter of a century and demonstrates the shallowness that has characterised their governance style.

“Let me be unequivocally clear: | AM STILL IN THIS RACE.

“The notion that I would step down on the eve of the election, after the overwhelming support received from the good people of our State, borders on delusion.”