Ahead of the governorship election in Kogi state, Mahmood
Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC), hosted heads of nation’s security agencies on Monday, November
16, in Abuja.
Leadership reports that the security team was led by the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase.
During the meeting, Yakubu assured Nigerians of the commission’s nonpartisan stance and declared that the sanctity of ballot box would be protected.
The INEC chairman revealed that the meeting with the security agencies was called to deliberate on how to conduct free, fair and credible election in Kogi state and create conducive atmosphere for voting.
Yakubu noted that security arrangements for elections cannot afford to go below the standards set in the 2011 and 2015 elections which he described as a litmus test.
“This time around, people will move out freely, vote for the candidates of their choice without any intimidation and at the end of the voting, their votes will be counted and the results will be made public, INEC has no interest in any particular candidate or political party,” he said.
Yakubu noted that in 2011 the INEC set up Inter-Agency Consultative Election Management Committee at national and subnational levels to discuss security issues in the conduct of elections.
“The commission will be moving to Lokoja, Kogi state capital tomorrow (today) to hold a stakeholders meeting on the smooth conduct of the poll, the meeting involving all the political parties, the contestants, representatives of security agencies, traditional and religion leaders, civil societies among others will hold before the glaring of the media,” he said.
In his speech, Arase warned potential troublemakers, stressing that security agencies would not allow anybody or group to disrupt the electoral process in Kogi state.
“The security agencies will not sit by and allow anybody or group to disrupt the electoral processes in Kogi state or anywhere in the country,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party has alleged that the presidency, the INEC and security forces are planning to rig the upcoming Kogi governorship elections in favour of the All Progressive Congress.
In a swift response, Malam Garba Shehu, the president’s senior special assistant on media and publicity, denied the claim, saying that the presidency would accept the outcome of the election.
Leadership reports that the security team was led by the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase.
During the meeting, Yakubu assured Nigerians of the commission’s nonpartisan stance and declared that the sanctity of ballot box would be protected.
The INEC chairman revealed that the meeting with the security agencies was called to deliberate on how to conduct free, fair and credible election in Kogi state and create conducive atmosphere for voting.
Yakubu noted that security arrangements for elections cannot afford to go below the standards set in the 2011 and 2015 elections which he described as a litmus test.
“This time around, people will move out freely, vote for the candidates of their choice without any intimidation and at the end of the voting, their votes will be counted and the results will be made public, INEC has no interest in any particular candidate or political party,” he said.
Yakubu noted that in 2011 the INEC set up Inter-Agency Consultative Election Management Committee at national and subnational levels to discuss security issues in the conduct of elections.
“The commission will be moving to Lokoja, Kogi state capital tomorrow (today) to hold a stakeholders meeting on the smooth conduct of the poll, the meeting involving all the political parties, the contestants, representatives of security agencies, traditional and religion leaders, civil societies among others will hold before the glaring of the media,” he said.
In his speech, Arase warned potential troublemakers, stressing that security agencies would not allow anybody or group to disrupt the electoral process in Kogi state.
“The security agencies will not sit by and allow anybody or group to disrupt the electoral processes in Kogi state or anywhere in the country,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party has alleged that the presidency, the INEC and security forces are planning to rig the upcoming Kogi governorship elections in favour of the All Progressive Congress.
In a swift response, Malam Garba Shehu, the president’s senior special assistant on media and publicity, denied the claim, saying that the presidency would accept the outcome of the election.
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