Wale Ibrahim, Lokoja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has restated its commitments to deliver peaceful, free, fair, credible, acceptable and conclusive governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states.
INEC National Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this while speaking at the stakeholders meeting with all candidates of political parties participating in the November 16 governorship election in Kogi State on Thursday.
The meeting took place in Lokoja.
Yakubu explained that the commission will continue to maintain law and integrity, adding that the INEC was determined to conduct peaceful election in the state, urging the stakeholders to assist the commission to accomplish its mission.
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The INEC chairman told the stakeholders that the meeting was necessary to find a way to conduct violence free election on November 16.
He expressed concerns over the actions and utterances of some political actors, saying that these are inimical to the fragile peace in the state and stressed that politicians should learn to play the game by its rules.
Yakabu also bemoaned some of the ugly incidences that occurred in some flash points during the last general election in Okene, Ogori/Magongo, Adavi and Dekina, calling on the stakeholders to change the narrative and image of Kogi State in the November election.
He also decried the transactions going around polling units that was referred to as vote buying and selling, adding that as much as the commission is willing to deliver its jobs, miscreants were frustrating that effort. “The Independent National Electoral Commission will no longer tolerate attempts to intimidate any of our staff, before, during and at collation centres as those involved will be made to face full wrath of the law,” he said.
Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof James Apam, said that the Commission was ready to conduct peaceful election, saying that INEC in Kogi had commenced the election process earlier.
The Governor of the State, Yahaya Bello and the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress, APC, stated as the chief security officer of the state, he had sworn to an oath that he as the governor will protect lives and property.
The governor explained that all the reports that emanated from the state during the last general election were not the true reflection of what happened in the state.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate , Musa Wada called on security agencies to look into the allegation that some politicians have been training private army for the purpose of the election.
Wada explained that his ambition does not worth the blood of anybody, stating that in democracy, there should not be no room for militarising election.
