Observer’s Diary

When I  received the news that my name had been approved by INEC to observe the Osun gubernatorial election, I was overwhelmed with mixed feelings. 

I was full of excitement and, at the same worried if my parents would allow me. But as a young lady who sees every chance of an opportunity to explore, I was determined. 

One month before the election, I informed my parents, and as predicted, they were worried about my safety, but I assured them that I would be fine. With Faith and with prayers, they gave me the go-ahead. 

On Wednesday, 13th of July, the election coordinator from the Center for Journalism and Innovation Development(CJID), Ms Bukunmi, instructed with a deadline stating that every observer should check in on or before 2 pm at Halatria hotel, our convergence point. Upon seeing the message, I messaged her privately to explain why I won’t be available by 2 pm due to a virtual conference I’m to attend that same day. 

As expected, she gave me the grace of one extra hour but unfortunately, the one hour wasn’t enough as I was stuck up in traffic due to the PDP campaign rally along Ede road. At exactly 2:30, I called Ms Bukunmi, telling her my reasons why I won’t make it around 3 and to request another extra time. And Her response was, “Don’t bother coming, just go back home. You won’t be observing”. Immediately hot tears welled up in my eyes and were about to cry. It felt as if my hope of having new experiences, the excitement to be involved in the election process and to gather information directly from the field, had been dashed in the twinkle of an eye. 

After several thoughts, I braced myself and sent a screenshot of the conference I had to her through WhatsApp, hoping she would see reason with me, and luckily for me, she responded with, “okay. I will give you till 4 pm”. My Spirit got lifted, and then I started praying for the bus not to encounter any form of traffic, but it was as if fate wanted to take its toll on me. We jammed traffic at Owode market and spent close to 15 mins in it. I asked a passenger alongside me on the bus if it would be possible for me to get a bike to Osogbo. He replied yes, and I alighted to board a bike to Osogbo and took another, which dropped me in front of the Halatria hotel. 

Finally, I got to the Halatria hotel a few minutes before 4 pm and met some colleagues also waiting to be checked in. It was there I was told that rooms were no longer available and would have to stay with two other females in a room. I obliged and was later told more rooms would be provided. 

Later in the evening, Ms Bukunmi arrived, and accommodation was sorted. I met my room partner, Kafilat Taiwo, a fresh graduate of Ekiti State University. We did talk as I figured she’s the quiet type. During the brief meeting later in the night with the CJID team, I was able to meet and greet other colleagues whom I’ve met or seen online. 

Pre-Election Day

At exactly 6:50 am, my room partner and I set out to the hotel hall, where we had a meeting with Mr Ajibola Hamzat, who enlightened us on getting familiar with other journalists on the field as they could be our saving angels when we encounter any danger.  We headed to the INEC office for our election kits. But before them, we were assigned to our various local governments and also given our partners. 

I was assigned to Ede South LG with Sunday Awosoro, a Third Year student of Ekiti State University and a promising student journalist. 

After our breakfast was served, we set out to the INEC office. On our arrival, our bags were checked before we were allowed into the compound. Security officials of different calibre and people of different status were everywhere. Even big giants and heavy dogs known as German shepherds were present, and I wondered why, was it because of the election that security was tight like this (well, I can’t blame myself, that would be the first time I would be anywhere close to INEC office during election period).

After being checked in, we followed right behind our coordinator and headed straight to where we would be given our kits for the election. While being delayed by the INEC officials, I had the opportunity to have a chat with my partner. 

We had a few talks introducing ourselves and how it has been like treading the path of journalism. After about 45mins, we were attended to, got our kits, and headed back to the hotel. Some kits didn’t go round as some got fliers, some got files. 

Almost as soon as we got back to the Halatria hotel, everyone started taking group pictures knowing fully well that we would soon depart to our various LG. The way the observers related so well was so fascinating that I wondered if they had known each other a long time ago and the flow when discussing (I wasn’t left out as I find it easy networking with them). After taking multiple pictures, we got our lunch and went to pack our bags, ready to be on the move. 

My partner and I, including two other colleagues who were deployed to Ede North, set out on our journey in a chartered bus. After about an hour, we got to Ede north, dropped off our colleagues at their INEC office, and went to locate ours. 

We dropped off at the secretariat and went straight to the INEC office to observe what was on the ground. Upon getting there, adhoc officials were present and the distribution of materials was already distributed. We moved around for any hitch, but everything was in order and we went out to sort out accommodation. 

We located a good hotel but before then, we had already sorted out our bike transporter for the second day. My partner did the negation, not because I’m a first-timer but because I’m best at giving ridiculous prices.

We checked into our hotel and settled in. When it was getting close to dusk, we decided to take a stroll out and also get something to eat. We strolled back to the INEC office, which is a 20mins walk from our hotel and decided to check around. Alas, the secretariat doesn’t have a back fence; it leads to other places in the community. We saw big modern houses, compared to the ones we have seen around on our arrival and later discovered the place is a new developing site.

We later returned to our hotel to prepare for the big day. 

ELECTION DAY

I woke up at 4 am with immense excitement, not knowing how the day’s event would unfold. Realizing that it was too early, I tried sleeping back but couldn’t get any. I laid back in bed and wondered about other things. At about 6 am, I got myself prepared.

BY 7 am, my partner and I set out and our first stop was at ward 04 PU 10, where adhoc officials assigned to the unit had arrived, pasted the list, and set up their materials. We kept moving around till past 8 and the voting process is yet to begin at where we have been. Then I began to wonder when it would kick start as I had been informed earlier by CJID that the election process begins at 8. On getting to Ward 01 PU 02, the election process begins at exactly 8:30, with priority voting given to party agents. Benches were made available to the elderly ones and it was surprising to see the elderly ones in their number out too early in the morning to exercise their franchise. The middle-aged men and women were also not excluded, while the youths were hardly seen around. 

While moving around Alajue I & II community, it was observed that PUs are just one stone’s throw from one another. Also, elections are conducted in front of houses which makes it difficult for the voters to have a long queue because by doing that, they would be blocking the major road where vehicles and bikes are to pass. Also, at Ward 01 PU 07, I noticed a Polling booth was placed on a raised platform which may not be accessible to certain voters. Aside from that, the two communities seemed peaceful and the people were eager to vote.

I was able to notice vote buying on getting to Ward 05 PU 18. A woman was carrying a handbag and stood close, monitoring the voting process. Some guys would come to meet her, they would discuss in a hushed tone and she would then give them a sign of figures with her hand and the guys would leave. They were coming in turns like that. I tried moving closer to see if I could overhear their conversations, but I couldn’t. Then suddenly, she brought a thousand naira new note from the bag and gave it to a guy beside her, telling him they would sort the remaining later. She was not putting on any tag, so it was hard identifying the party she represented. After some minutes without achieving anything, I left for another Polling Unit. 

All through my movement from one polling unit to the other, there was no case of a bad BVAS machine (Bimodal Voting Accreditation System); everything was in orderliness and in a peaceful environment. The voters followed instructions and there was no case of any violence. 

On getting to ward 04 polling units 01, voting had ended and they were almost done with the counting and I decided to wait till the end. After the counting process and the winning party had been declared, it was discovered that one ballot paper was missing when the total number of used ballot papers was calculated. It took the INEC officials almost an hour trying to figure out where the mistake could come from. At the end of it, it was realized that an unused ballot paper was counted with the void papers. And that settles it. 

While moving around, I got to another polling unit which I later discovered to be under Ede North. I had spent close to 20 mins witnessing the counting process when I realized it. I left immediately and went back to where I came from with the help of my bike man. 

At exactly 7:15 pm, my partner and I headed to the LG where collation would take place. Although, he Insisted I go back to the hotel to rest because It was obvious that I was already worn out. I refused and still followed him. The collation ended at 10:47 pm, and we trekked back to our hotel as we couldn’t get a bike to convey us.

I experienced a serious fever that night, starting when we were at the INEC office back to the hotel. My body was hot and at the same time, I had a banging headache. The following morning, I vomited and the temperature was still running. My partner took responsibility by taking good care of me and waiting till I could get enough rest and strength before we checked out of the hotel. 

We departed for our various destinations at exactly 10:20 AM.