THE National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) Professor Mahmood Yakubu has warned all political parties in the coming Kogi Governorship election to avoid violence that could affect the November 16 election.
Speaking in Lokoja, Kogi State on Thursday during the INEC Stakeholders meeting, he noted that the commission is not interested in any political party, but rather the commission want to see that they conduct free, fair credible and conclusive election.
His words,”The election is 36 day from Thursday from now and two major elections will be conducted on the 16 of November that is Kogi and Bayesa state symontenoisly.
“The elections are major election for the commission, Nigeria and every body. The first after general election and people are interested in this election people will want to know what was going on.
He assured that before the election himself and the Inspector GeneraI of Police, IG Adamu Muhammed will visit Kogi and if that is the only way they can have free, fair and credible election.
According to him the meeting was conveyed with stakeholders to show that the commission is ready for the election and with the support they can deliver free, fair, credible and conclusive election in Kogi State.
He said that campaign has commenced as he warned against violence and hate speech before and during election.
The representative of the Inspector GeneraI of Police, DIG Ali Abdulmalik said a total of 25,000 Policemen will be redeployed for Kogi Governorship election
He noted that everything wil be done to prevent violence and also to assure free, fair and credible election in the state.
Also speaking at the meeting, the governor of Kogi State Alhaji Yahaya Bello said he will make sure that life and property are protected according to the Nigerian Constitution.
He said violence in Kogi state as reported in some section of media was not true of the happening in the state.
“My ambition for second term will not be by through violence. I can assure that they was we conducted the APC primary will also be same during the election.
“The incident of violence you heard during the last election was not perpetuated by APC because we don’t believe in violence and so my supporters and my party APC will never be part of any political violence.
“Who ever involved in any political violence such person will not be protected but rather such person will face the law accordingly,” he warned.
The Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Engr. Musa Wada assured the commission of free election violence adding that the security agencies should conduct stop and search.
He also urged the commission not to.deploy Military during the election adding that Kogi State during election some people moved about without been challenge by the security agents.
