The countdown began for two major big events, my birthday and Nigeria’s most tensed presidential election. I was now at the R.A.C for the distribution and disbursement of electoral materials against the election proper.
23:00hrs
I had just received sensitive and insensitive materials on behalf of my unit. It began with just one shot and then the shots became sporadic. We quickly took cover, just in case. We knew their target was the election materials and our S.P.O jokingly made us understand we had signed to receive the materials form INEC and so the responsibility to protect the materials was now ours.
11-04-2015: 24:05hrs:
Date or time was no longer in purview. It was all about surviving the current hour. While sleep left some faces others (mostly women) went about to find space to sleep. Myself and other guys stood by the materials. At least we will be able to give detailed report and account of whatever happened to them if the worst happened. The devil got to work with his evil thoughts as he pushed one to me saying you will leave the world the same day you came into it. Little did he know anyway that this boy is under Grace. The gun shot rented air was soon substituted by loud siren blast of the back up squad of mobile policemen who chased the attackers away
01:00hrs
Sleep was no longer a luxury at this time as death seems to crawl with it at this point so we all kept vigil with the policemen. We eagerly waited for dawn so we can get this all over with,
06:00hrs
No wishes yet as those that could make an early wish have been ruffled over night to even remember the birthday of their friend. We prepared to mobilize to our different units as buses and more security escorts arrived. I had my khaki worn on my mufti wear just in case the masquerade has to become man again.
07:30hrs-08:00hrs
All was calm and cool at my unit as we set up to begin accreditation of electorates. But as the accreditation began we discovered a fault with the card reader and it will have to be taken back to the LG for reset. Now we had a major task to calm the agitated crowd so things won't get out of hand. In the midst of this Olaoye Tosin Tope called to make his wish but the unrestful situation at the unit deprived me of the first birthday wish because I had to end the call abruptly. Anyway I got a decent wish soon as my Sis Okanlawon Oluwatoyin called to wish me well, followed by my bro Okanlawon Ayobami and lil bro Adedayo Okanlawon
10:00hrs-17:00hrs
Electoral process went on fine though hectic. No gun shots fired except for the few interruptions from some eager local thugs who intermittently became restless from the intoxication of the drinks they have had.
17:30hrs
I supervised the counting of votes and we received a good cooperation from electorates. Suddenly, there was a loud bang close by and all electorates took to their heels. The thugs were at it again and this time my colleagues standing by our materials were their latest victim. My colleagues were able to dodge the big stone hauled at them by a restless thug. The stone hit the wall making a loud thud that scuttled the electorates who were ignorant of what really happened. Some influential elders stepped in to restore normalcy as we also called for armed security which came quicker than we even expected.
19:30hrs
I have served my father land now it was time to serve myself. Back in my apartment and settled to read the overwhelming FACEBOOK messages, WhatsApp chats, text messages etc. I had a surprise chat from a friend Temitope Abrahams who remembered me on my birthday on WhatsApp before my battery went flat, then I took an overdue sleep.
Reflecting lonely in my room today after watching reports from the Bayelsa elections, all I have got do is praise my God for the Grace, Mercy and Favour. #GratefulHeart
Tayo Okanlawon
There is God that rules over the affairs of men, if you're still in doubt reach out via comment
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