Mrs. Bina Jennifer Efidi Seifegha, a Nigerian citizen who courageously faced an attack by state-sponsored hoodlums during the 2023 Presidential and Senatorial Elections in Lagos, has been awarded the prestigious ‘Defender of Democracy’ honor by Champion Newspaper Limited.
The award ceremony took place on Saturday, May 25, at the Annual Champion Newspapers’ Awards held at the Convention Centre of the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Seifegha gained national recognition after a 17-second video of her went viral on social media on February 25, 2023.
In the video, she was seen at her polling unit in Surulere, Lagos, where she was attacked by state-sponsored hoodlums suspected to be supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Despite sustaining injuries to her right eye, Seifegha remained resolute and was quoted saying, “They can only disfigure my face. They can’t stop me from voting.”
More than a year after the incident, Seifegha was honored for her significant contributions to the socio-political landscape of Nigeria and the symbol of courage and hope she has become.
Notably, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi visited her during the heat of the moment to check-up on the state of her health.
Obi stated, “Today, I visited Mrs Jennifer Efidi. She was attacked on 25th February in an attempt to stop her from voting, but she stood her ground. Jennifer is one of the great icons of Nigeria’s democracy.
“She is my point of contact with every Nigerian who suffered a similar fate in their bid to exercise their voting rights, and contribute to a new Nigeria. Like many Nigerians, I acknowledge her bravery and resoluteness,” Obi added
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