By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
.
,,,Nobody’s life is worth political ambition of anybody-stakeholders.
The Chairman, Independence National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu,says the Commission is set to conduct the governorship election coming up in kogi state on Saturday (November 11,2023.
He gave the assurance on Tuesday during Election Stakeholders’ meeting in Lokoja in respect of the forthcoming election in the state.
Represented by the National Commissioner in -charge of kogi,kwara and Niger state,Prof. Sani Adam, Yukubu said that the Commission had fulfilled all that is expected of it ,in terms of logistics, receipt of election materials and enlightenment among others to ensure adequate and peaceful conduct of the election.
He, however,called on political leaders and their followers to play the game of politics to bring about peaceful poll.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state,Dr.Hale Gabriel Longpet, who toed the line of his principal, said the need for peaceful election in the state became necessary of crises that characterised by campaign by some politicians.
He,however, expressed the determination to change the narrative before his tenure ends.
Contributing, the Commissioner of Police the state, CP. Onuoha Bernard,decried the behavior of politicians in their, a developing he noted led to destruction of property and in some extances, flowing of blood.
He said while the police would provide security,during for the election, the onus lied on the politicians to play the game of politics by the rule to ensure the eschew violence to avoid police reaction.
According to him,the police,as enshrined by the constitution,to protect the lives of the people, adding he and his men would stick to such constitutional provision during the exercise.
The chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists,kogi state council, Alhaji Adeiza Momohjimoh, said his members were also ready to discharge their constitutional responsibility towards effective coverage and dissemination of news of the exercise to the public.
He,however, called on the police to allow journalists do their job during the election.
Responding, the Commissioner of Police assured that law abiding journalists, scheduled for election,should have nothing to fear.
Mr.Sam Abenemi,the running mate of the Social Democratic party,SDP candidate, Alhaji Muri Ajaka, holders,called on the police to discharge their responsibility, during the election without favour to any party or candidate.
The Ohimege of Kotonkarfe, Alhaji Isa Koto, who spoke on behalf of the traditional institution in the state,assured INEC and police of an effective complementary of the royal fathers to ensure peace during and after the election.
According to INEC, all the 18 governorship candidates will under take affirmation of peace on Wednesday in Lokoja and commit themselves and their followers to ensure peace during the exercise.
Adding voice during interactive session of the event, Amb.Idris Ozovehe Muraina,who spoke on behalf of the Civil Society Organizations(CSOs),expressed the resolve of members of the body to offer effective complementary role to INEC and othe stakeholders for the peace of the election.
He also urged the politicians to play the game according to the rule of politics,to give peace a chance,during and after the election.
