Absence of street soccer, drizzle, deems sparkle of Edo governorship election

    Empty rain soaked street.

 

By Bernadette Idalu

Unlike at previous national and state elections where youths subtly asserted their presence in the scheme of affairs in surrounding streets of Etete and environs, bunched together, mostly half clad, shouting out words of praise and encouragement to team mates and friends who engaged in vigorous sports activities, especially street soccer, the streets were eerily empty, quiet and devoid of human activities as the electorates, today, September 21, 2024, hit their polling units to cast decisive votes to elect the next Edo State governor at this auspicious off cycle election.

As if nature cast a sombre look at this odd happenstance, the weather went cold and dark and began to drizzle at 10:47am. Thankfully, it didn't "cry a river," thus, providing a passage way for those keen at casting their votes.

Neighborly relationship was at an all time low as people mostly kept indoors. Shops were locked, even toddlers and kids known to periodically percolate the environment with loud screams or sobs of discomfort due to bullying from older siblings somehow became silent. Was this possibly due to the physical presence and control from their parents or supervising elders?

Neighbours who make it their point of duty to remind others, loudly calling out friends/listeners in the neighborhood with their "microphone voice" booming out announcements as they make their way to the polling units and back, mysteriously lost their voices today;  such camaraderie displays got backgrounded.

Skeletal activities nonetheless resumed at 4:04pm. A male hawking raw corn pap (Akamu) molded into differing sizes and loaded into a transparent bucket placed on the head was seen crisscrossing streets. The environment slowly came alive just as a lone vehicle was seen driving through, after a long hiatus.