The suspects, identified as Isoa Emmanuel and Kofi Oseibhue, were allegedly found in possession of voter cards that appeared questionable. Witnesses at the polling unit reported that the two individuals looked visibly underaged, prompting NSCDC officers to step in and prevent them from casting their votes.
Political Leaders React:
The development immediately triggered tension at the polling centre. Some political stakeholders present expressed strong displeasure at the intervention of the NSCDC. One of them, identified as Aimiebenomon, challenged the authority of the officers, questioning their right to stop individuals from voting based solely on appearance.
According to him, age cannot be determined merely by physical outlook, as poverty, malnutrition, and years of hard labour often make young people look older or weaker than they really are. He further argued that alleged cases of underaged voting have been reported in other regions of Nigeria, especially in the North, and wondered why the same scrutiny was being applied so strictly in Edo.
Going further, Aimiebenomon vowed to provide legal support for the suspects if the matter was taken to court, insisting that only a court of law had the power to disqualify them from voting.
NSCDC’s Role in Election Security:
The NSCDC plays a vital role in ensuring security during elections in Nigeria. Beyond protecting critical infrastructure, their duties extend to maintaining law and order at polling units, preventing violence, and supporting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in enforcing electoral laws.
In this case, NSCDC officers eventually asked the suspects to leave the voting vicinity in what appeared to be a diplomatic effort to prevent the situation from escalating. By removing them quietly, the officers were able to reduce tensions and avoid clashes with political supporters while still upholding electoral integrity.
Underaged Voting: A Persistent Challenge
The incident highlights a longstanding problem in Nigeria’s electoral system: underagedvoting. Despite repeated assurances by INEC to curb the menace, reports of minors attempting to vote continue to surface during elections.
Electoral experts have repeatedly warned that underaged voting undermines the credibility of elections and erodes public trust in the democratic process. Section 12 of the Electoral Act 2022 clearly stipulates that only citizens who are 18 years and above are legally eligible to register and vote in elections.
Unfortunately, weak enforcement mechanisms, lack of proper voter education, and political interference have made the problem persistent across different regions of the country.
Public Reactions:
The interception in Esan South-East has sparked diverse reactions among Nigerians. While some applauded the NSCDC for taking swift action, others criticized the approach, suggesting that such suspects should be formally prosecuted rather than merely asked to leave.
Civil society organizations have called on INEC and security agencies to strengthen voter verification processes to prevent minors from accessing polling stations in the first place. They also advised political parties to discourage desperate strategies that compromise democratic values.
Why This Matters:
Free, fair, and credible elections are the foundation of democracy. The presence of underaged voters, fake voter cards, and other irregularities not only casts doubt on election outcomes but also reduces citizens’ confidence in governance. If left unchecked, such practices may continue to weaken Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Observers note that the Edo Central bye-election serves as a test of INEC’s commitment to transparency and fairness, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While the Edo bye-election proceeded largely peacefully, the attempted participation of suspected underaged voters once again raises important questions about Nigeria’s electoral system. The NSCDC’s action, though controversial, underscores the delicate balance between enforcing the law and maintaining peace at polling centres.
Moving forward, stakeholders—including INEC, security agencies, civil society groups, and political parties—must work together to eliminate underaged voting and strengthen democratic practices in Nigeria.
📢 Share Your Thoughts
What do you think about this development? Should the suspects have been prosecuted to set an example, or was the NSCDC right to handle the situation diplomatically?
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