By Ishaq Dan-Imam, Lokoja
Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday tasked politicians in Kogi to give peace a chance for a peaceful, successful, and credible Governorship election on 11 November 2023
The INEC made the plea during a one-day Kogi Governorship election Stakeholders meeting held at Edge Drive Hotel, Lokoja.
Yakubu, who was represented by the National Commissioner supervising, Kogi, Kwara, and Niger States, Prof Sani Adam, said getting a leader for the state was very important toward its progress.
“Therefore, you must play to the rules of the game as mature and good politicians that you are to help us conduct a peaceful, successful, and credible election come 11 November.
“We in INEC are fully ready for the conduct of the governorship election, but we need your cooperation and support by being obedient to the rules and regulations guiding elections in the country.
“President Bola Tinubu is keenly behind us to see that all goes well in the off-cycle elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states come Saturday.
“It’s our belief that with your cooperation and support, the best candidate will emerge victorious since God is the one who gives power,” he said.
The INEC boss called on the electorate to come out en masse and vote on Saturday as the security operatives have given all assurance of adequate security for the peaceful conduct of the election.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Onuoha, assured residents of adequate security before, during, and after the election.
Onuoha warned merchants of trouble, especially political thugs, not to try anything funny as regards the election as security operatives are battle-ready to deal with them.
“In elections, you don’t use matches and guns to force people to give you votes. Such people will meet the wrath of the law.
“What we want in Kogi is a peaceful and successful election. Therefore, politicians must play according to the rules of the game or be dealt with.
“The traditional rulers should help us talk to their subjects to maintain peace throughout the election period because it will come and go and we will all remain as residents,” the CP pleaded.
The Running mate to the SDP Governorship Candidate, Mr. Sam Ranti-Abenemi, complained about the action of security toward some stakeholders of the party and called for caution not to give the wrong signal to the residents.
Ranti-Abenemi called for adequate security and fairness to all residents toward a peaceful, credible, and successful conduct of the election in Kogi.
