Kogi re-run: CAN begs INEC, security agents to live above board


Ahead of senatorial and House of Representatives re-run elections for Kogi West senatorial district and Ajaokuta federal constituency slated for next Saturday, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has pleaded with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies to live above board in the discharge of their duties to avert the electoral fraud and violence that characterised the just concluded governorship election in the state.

Speaking at the stakeholders’ forum organized by INEC in Lokoja, Tuesday, the representative of CAN and Director National Issues of the association, Rev Samuel Owolabi, condemned in its entirety the rate of violence, intimidation, gunshots, ballot box snatching and vote buying that marred the just concluded governorship election in Kogi state.

“As it is now people are demoralised to come out to vote because of fear of being killed. They no longer have confidence in INEC and security operatives. What we witnessed during the just concluded governorship election was civil war” he said.

The Clergyman, who made the pleas on his knees, urged the INEC and security to turn a new leave of conducting acceptable, credible, free and fair rerun elections come next Saturday.

Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), for Kogi state, Professor James Apam, in his opening remarks, said the re-run became necessary as the winning margin was less than the cancelled votes as a result of electoral violence, assuring that INEC is ready to conduct the two rerun elections as materials, funding and logistic support are already in place for the smooth exercise.

He said the elections will be conducted in 23 polling units in Ajaokuta federal constituency while that of Kogi West senatorial rerun will take place in 52 polling units and 408 staff and adhoc personnel would be used for the elections.

The police during the meeting gave an assurance that enough security operatives would also be provided to ensure peaceful environment for the people to come in their large numbers to exercise their franchise without molestation, intimidation or being killed in the process.

Also speaking the state chairman of Jama’atul Nasiril Islam (JNI) Ambassador Usman Bello called on the politicians to have the fear of God and play the game according to the rules.

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