,,,,,Warn trouble makers to think twice.
By Ijeoma Obioma in Makurdi.
As Benue state set for Saturday’s by-election for Guma 1 State Constituency, Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Benue State Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Adesina, have assured the electorate of a violence free polls.
Both men said the government and the security agencies are prepared and ready to ensure everything plays out well on Saturday.
They gave the assurance on Friday, at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi after emerging from a security meeting preparatory to the election slated for Saturday.
Asked to comment on the preparedness of the state government as regards the security and safety of the voters during the election, the governor said: “We are quite prepared and we want the people to know that a level playing ground is going to be given to all the political parties.
“Peace is going to reign, as we are not a lawless people. It is our hope and our preparedness that everything plays out very well tomorrow.”
He called on those creating anxiety and tension in the minds of the electorate to desist, urging eligible voters to come en masse out at their various polling units on Saturday and express their franchise, adding that they should do so in a peaceful and orderly manner.
The governor, however, cautioned those still holding gatherings and meetings within the local government, saying that the time for politicking is over, and as such, there should be no political meetings anywhere within the area.
“Let it be on record that the time for politicking is over and we are just awaiting the elections tomorrow. And so, all gatherings and meetings must be disbanded. We are a lawful state and we must play by the supremacy of the law. There should not be any political meetings within the local government area.”
On his part, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP. Emmanuel Adesina, also assured the people of Guma Local Government Area that his men were ready and prepared for the election, warning those planning to disrupt the exercise to shelve their plan, stressing that they would not have their way.
Adesina called on the electorate to come out on Saturday and cast their votes, assuring that his officers would create a level playing ground for all to vote for their preferred candidates.
Edited by Dawud Ahmed.
