JANUARY 16 ELECTIONS: Why you should reconsider your Christmas holiday plans, ADC Southwest Youth Leader, Olusi-Babatunde, tells Nigerians
By KEMI KASUMU
She expressed particular concern about possible movement restrictions, security disruptions or unexpected lockdowns in parts of the Southeast, South-South and Northern Nigeria, which could affect the movement of voters returning to the Southwest before election day.
The Southwest Youth Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Adeola Olusi-Babatunde, has urged Nigerians, particularly voters registered in the Southwest, to reconsider their Christmas and New Year travel plans ahead of the January 16 elections, warning that possible transportation and security disruptions could affect their participation in the polls.
Olusi-Babatunde, in a press statement sent to The DEFENDER on Tuesday November 10, 2026, expressed concern that holding the elections shortly after the Christmas and New Year celebrations could create difficulties for Nigerians travelling to their hometowns and villages during the festive period.
She questioned whether voters who travel outside their states of registration would be able to return to their designated polling locations in sufficient time to exercise their franchise.
“The decision to schedule the elections for January 16 has got me thinking, and I believe Nigerians need to start asking serious questions about the timing and its possible implications,” she said.
She expressed particular concern about possible movement restrictions, security disruptions or unexpected lockdowns in parts of the Southeast, South-South and Northern Nigeria, which could affect the movement of voters returning to the Southwest before election day.
“While I am not claiming that any such plan exists, the possibility of logistical disruptions during this critical period deserves serious attention,” she clarified.
The ADC youth leader consequently called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant security agencies to provide clear assurances that no eligible voter would be disenfranchised because of movement restrictions or inadequate transportation arrangements.
“INEC and the relevant security agencies must provide clear assurances that no Nigerian voter will be disenfranchised because of movement restrictions or inadequate transportation arrangements,” she stressed.
Olusi-Babatunde also urged opposition political parties to raise concerns over the election timetable and demand that the elections be rescheduled to a date considered more convenient for citizens.
She argued that transparency, adequate preparation and credible guarantees were necessary to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process, particularly against the backdrop of what she described as widespread public distrust in the APC-led Federal Government.
On preparations by voters, the ADC Southwest Youth Leader advised Nigerians whose voter registration is tied to polling units in the Southwest to carefully reconsider their holiday travel plans.
“If your voter registration is tied to your current location in the Southwest and you intend to participate in the January 16 elections, carefully reconsider your holiday travel plans,” she advised.
She further urged voters not to wait until the last minute before returning to their registered locations, while encouraging them to verify their polling units, monitor INEC announcements and make adequate transportation arrangements ahead of election day.
“Our democracy depends on the participation of eligible voters. Every vote matters, and nobody should lose the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right because of avoidable logistical challenges,” she stated.
Emphasising the need for vigilance and active participation, Olusi-Babatunde declared: “Nigerians must stay alert. Our votes must count!”
