Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, has dismissed the notion that elections in Kogi State are naturally violent, insisting that electoral contests are competitive everywhere and that peaceful outcomes depend largely on the conduct of political leaders.
Fanwo said it was important to correct the widespread perception that elections in Kogi are always characterised by violence and tension.
According to him, the attitude and body language of political leaders play a crucial role in determining whether elections remain peaceful or descend into violence.
Fanwo pointed to the 2023 Kogi State governorship election as evidence that credible and peaceful elections are possible in the state, describing it as one of the most peaceful polls conducted in Kogi’s history.
He credited Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s reconciliation efforts, consultations with stakeholders and commitment to peace for creating an atmosphere that discouraged violence during the election.
The commissioner maintained that election-related violence is no longer a dominant issue in Kogi’s political landscape, stressing that sustained dialogue and responsible leadership have significantly improved the electoral process.
“I need to correct this impression that elections in Kogi are hot. Elections everywhere are hot contests and it depends on how it is played. It also depends on the body language of the leaders,” Fanwo said.
