There was drama on Saturday when soldiers at Agbadu Bunu village in Kaba/Bunu LGAs of Kogi stopped some policemen allegedly escorting a politician during the election.
The three Toyota Jeeps convoy was stopped with other vehicles by the soldiers for flouting the restriction placed on vehicular movement.
It was observed that when the convoy was stopped, the policemen alighted to meet the soldiers while their ‘principal’ was at the back of the Jeep.
All efforts to appeal to the soldiers by the policemen were rebuffed as one of the soldiers was shouting “you are not on election duty. Go back!”
The soldier queried: ” Are they (policemen) supposed to be moving around during the election? They should tell their principal to come down and explain to our Oga Today is not for ‘big man’ to be moving around. Let all politicians stay in their house to go and vote.”
It took them over 30 minutes before the soldiers allowed the policemen to pass. At the scene, there were other scores of heavy trucks packed by the soldiers.
Almost three hours after the commencement of voting, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Senator Dino Melaye is yet to cast his vote.
Melaye is expected to vote at his unit 04, Iluafon quarters of Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated it would investigate the allegation of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen Dino Melaye that result sheets are being tampered with.
Melaye alleged that result sheets have been prefilled and tampered with in all polling units located in Ogori/Magongo local government area of the state.
He also said that there were massive protests in the units as voters refused to be accredited, insisting that the plain result sheets should be made available for the electorate in the area.
The former Kogi Senator made these known in a short video posted on social media on Saturday morning as the off-season governorship election is ongoing in the state.
But INEC in a statement on its Twitter handle said “Our attention has been drawn to a report that filled result sheets were discovered in some polling units in Kogi State.
“The Commission views this situation seriously. Our senior officials deployed to the State are currently investigating the incident(s).
“The Commission will communicate its decision earnestly.”
INEC warns staff, ad-hoc workers against malpractices, partisanship
INEC deploys six National Commissioners, 27 RECs
Crisis hits Bayelsa LP over bribery allegations
Insecurity: election observer group identifies Brass, Nembe, Ogbia, Southern
Ijaw LGAs as flashpoints
EFCC deploys operatives to prevent vote-buying
After weeks of bated anxiety, governorship aspirants in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo states will have their fate decided by voters as they troop out today to elect new governors.
The elections are holding against the background of heightened tension in the affected states over fears of electoral violence.
Already, the Nigeria Police Force has deployed 67,000 of its men for the polls.
The elections, expected to be keenly contested, will feature no fewer than 51 candidates with Kogi, where 18 candidates are expected to slug it out, as the state with the highest number of contestants.
Seventeen candidates are jostling for the coveted seat in Imo while 16 will battle it out in Bayelsa.
No fewer than 5,169,692 voters who collected their permanent voter cards (PVCs) are expected to vote in the elections.
Investigation revealed uneasy calm across the three senatorial districts in Kogi State as people appear to be apprehensive due primarily to the violence that attended previous exercises.
In Bayelsa State, hundreds of women besieged the State Police Command in Yenagoa, the state capital on Thursday, demanding the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police, Tolani Alausa.
As a precautionary measure against the high level of insecurity anticipated in Kogi State during the poll, security operatives have been massively deployed in the state to maintain law and order and protect voters who are expected to troop out to its over 3,500 polling units to perform their franchise without intimidation.
Our correspondent in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, observed that personnel from the various security agencies had arrived in the state and were being deployed in its nooks and crannies.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) overseeing Saturday’s governorship election in Kogi State, Habu Sani, told reporters in Lokoja that the 40,000 police personnel deployed in the state was proportionate to the threats level.
He insisted that the security personnel so far deployed were enough to handle the fears in some quarters over possible violence and disruptions during the exercise.
According to him, about 90 per cent of the personnel deployed for the election had arrived in the state.
He said those that were not yet on ground were either on transit or would take off on Friday to arrive early enough for the election.
He said that all the 3,500 polling units in the state would be adequately covered, adding that no room would be left for anyone who might want to disrupt the election.
Sani said: “Our deployment is proportionate to the threat levels identified before election.
“Forty thousand personnel and officers have been mobilised to neutralise any untoward happening before, during and after the election.”
He also said there would be restriction of movements on the Election Day and only those on essential duties would be allowed to move around after they might have been issued with tags.
He called on members of the public who might have useful information to contact the police control room whose number and that of the officers in charge of each zone would be circulated.
At least two deaths had been confirmed and the police themselves have confirmed gunning down several political thugs who attempted a gun battle with security agencies ahead of the elections.
Election observer group identifies Brass, Nembe, Ogbia, Southern Ijaw LGAs as flashpoints
An election management team, CellHub, yesterday identified Brass, Nembe, Ogbia, Southern Ijaw, and Yenagoa local government areas as key flashpoints which the security agencies should pay attention to ahead of today’s governorship election in Bayelsa State.
In Brass, agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) keeping vigil at the registration area centres (RACs) were said to have clashed, thereby unsettling the area.
The election monitoring group noted that there might be mayhem during the polls in the five LGAs.
The organisation commended the performance of security agencies involved in the pre-election operations, particularly the military.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Idris Usman, the group acknowledged the commitment, professionalism and diligence so far displayed by security personnel deployed to ensure a secured and conducive environment for the electoral process.
It noted that the efforts of security agencies had contributed significantly in building public confidence and ensuring the smooth conduct of pre-election activities.
The statement said: “However, as part of our ongoing collaboration to enhance the electoral process, CellHub urges the security agencies to concentrate their efforts in identified flashpoints within certain local government areas.
“These areas include Brass, Nembe, Ogbia, Southern Ijaw, and Yenagoa local government areas.
“We have noticed over the last 24 hours reported cases of intimidation and violence in some communities, particularly Brass and Nembe local governments.
“Recognising the significance of these local governments and the potential challenges they may pose, CellHub calls for heightened vigilance, strategic deployment, and effective communication among security personnel.
“By focusing on these flashpoints, we aim to preemptively address any potential security concerns and ensure the safety of voters, electoral officials and other stakeholders.”
Protesters besiege police headquarters in Bayelsa, demand CP’s removal
Hundreds of women in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, on Thursday, besieged the State Police Command, demanding the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police, Tolani Alausa.
The protesters made up mainly of women and dressed in black attires also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure a violence-free governorship election in the state today.
On the placards displayed by the protesters were inscriptions such as “IG – the Police must be neutral”, “Change CP Alausa for a violence-free poll”, “We say no to CP Alausa”, “Give us new CP”, “We don’t want Tolani Alausa”.
“All we are asking for is a violence- free election in the state. Is that a big thing to ask from those who are supposed to be responsible for protecting us? Why can’t the police be neutral in this election? Can’t we just vote for our preferred candidate in peace?
“We want a non-violent exercise. The police should protect the people and allow us to vote who we want. This shouldn’t be like other elections where people manipulate election with the assistance of the police,” one of the protesters said.
Another protester and human rights activist, Mrs. Timitimi Ebipador, was quoted as pleading for a non-violent exercise.
“We are appealing to you for the conduct of a peaceful election. We want an exercise devoid of violence. You are responsible for the provision of security of our lives and that should be your duty and not interfere in the election itself.
“No blood of any Bayelsan is worth the blood of any politician. Do all it takes for a non-violent election, we beg you to protect us. I call for a peaceful election. We want our husbands, children and even brothers safe after the exercise.
“We have experienced it on several occasions. In 2015 and 2019, it was marred by violence and till this moment, nobody was prosecuted and jailed for violence,” she said.
On his part, the Police DIG in charge of South-South, Sokari Pedro, assured the protesters of peaceful conduct of the election, saying that all measures for smooth conduct and professionalism by officers and men of the police force would be applied.
He assured that the election would be different from previous ones that were marred by violence in 2015 and 2019.
He said: “We have heard your agitations, and we will ensure a peaceful conduct of the exercise before and after. I just addressed stakeholders of the various parties and other state actors that the election will be peaceful.
“2023 is not 2015 and 2019. We have put all measures together for a peaceful process. All security architecture is in place.
“Also, pass the information to your people in various communities to let peace reign. Without peace, there will be no development in our communities.
“We have to avoid unnecessary confrontations with people this election season.”
DHQ, defence minister allay fears of insecurity
In separate statements on Thursday, both the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, allayed any fear of insecurity during the elections, assuring voters of their safety during the exercise.
Matawalle, who spoke in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said adequate arrangements had been made for security agencies to deal decisively with any “noisemaker” and anyone who might want to foment trouble or crises during the elections.
He said: “The military will be available ’24/7′ for anyone who wants to contact them.
“I, particularly, will be in the office within the period of the election so as to ensure safety in the three states.
“We shall protect the people. We shall ensure that the three states are safe and the people are protected.
“I assure Nigerians that the elections will be held amicably; nothing will happen to anyone.”
“The elections will be conducted in these states peacefully.”
In apparent corroboration of Matawalle’s statement, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) declared that anybody or group planning to disrupt the governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo or Kogi state would face the consequences of their action.
The DHQ said the military was aware of plans by some miscreants to disguise themselves in military uniforms in order to disrupt the election process.
The military high command spoke through the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Edward Buba, during a briefing at the Defence Headquarters Abuja.
Buba said: “We are aware of plans of some to disguise themselves in military gear to orchestrate havoc and disrupt elections in some areas. Our message to such a group is that there will be injurious consequences for such an action. The military will not fold its arms and watch its image dragged to the mud.
“Election is a serious business and the military is giving it the seriousness it deserves. So much is being put in place, troops and platforms are being deployed to those locations to reinforce security that is already in place in those states.”
PSC monitors arrive duty posts as Commission releases phone numbers for complaints
The Chairman Police Service Commission (PSC), Dr. Solomon Arase, has advised officials of the Commission deployed to monitor the governorship election in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states to be transparent and dedicated to duty.
The PSC staff monitors, according to findings, have arrived and taken positions at their duty posts in the nine senatorial districts of the three states of Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa where the off cycle governorship elections are holding today.
The Commission has also released dedicated telephone lines where Nigerians are expected to call to complain about any police misconduct or commend police exemplary conduct.
According to a statement issued yesterday by the Head Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, the Commission Monitors will be appearing in reflective jackets with PSC inscriptions for easy identification.
Ani said Arase had charged the Staff Monitors to live above board and execute their assignment with diligence and Commitment.
Arase said the Commission would also hold its staff monitors accountable for any deliberate infraction in the course of their duty, warning that they must restrict themselves to the approved guidelines on monitoring of Police conduct and the rules of engagement.
He said: “The Commission’s dedicated telephone numbers are: National Cordinating Centre:
Aminu Malumfashi 08059170235
Ikechukwu Ani 08088155981.
“Kogi State;
East Senatorial district -Adeola Albert; 08084385726
Central Senatorial district; -Justina Okunriboye 08033145592 and West Senatorial District Dada Babatunde; 08054970152.
“Imo State:
North Senatorial District ‘ Amaka Omene: 08033702079
East Senatorial District – Uche Wokocha; 08033127845 and West Senatorial District- Mathias Okoi Uyo-Uyo; 08038179665
“Bayelsa State;
East Senatorial district – Ponfa Wuyep; 08036707485
Central Senatorial district- Solomon Jibrin; 08064766550 and West Senatorial District -Iniobong Uko Anthony; 08061309837″.
Ani said PSC monitors are expected to monitor Police conduct in the three states using Commission’s approved guidelines on Police conduct during elections.
Crisis hits Bayelsa LP as party splits into factions over bribery allegations
In Bayelsa State, a major crisis has erupted in the Labour Party with the party’s chairmen in six of the state’s eight local government areas dumping its governorship candidate, Udengs Eradiri, over the alleged exclusion of the party executives and structure in his governorship campaign.
They also vowed to support the candidacy of Senator Douye Diri, the incumbent governor who is seeking reelection on the platform of People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The party chairmen, Ifiemi Ilahnyog (Southern Ijaw), Clinton Naru Emesua (Ogbia), Tamuno Deifugha (Kolokuma/Opokuma), Warri Moses (Sagbama), Appi Ebierelayefa Stephen (Nembe) and Super Kworkwor (Yenagoa), also accused the party’s candidate of deliberately refusing to inaugurate a campaign council.
The party chairmen also accused Eradiri of appointing only a two-man campaign structure which he used as “mere errand boys”.
In a statement they issued in Yenagoa, the state capital, the six local government party chairmen, who had spurned several invitations to appear before the state executives of the party, accused the governorship candidate of openly insulting, embarrassing and rejecting advice offered him about his campaign activities.
The aggrieved chairmen’s statement reads: “Our candidate lacks the maturity that is required to be the Governor of Bayelsa State. Yes, we agree that he is well educated and has experience, but maturity is zero.
“He is too petty, fault-finding, quick-tempered, impatient and very argumentative. Our candidate does not believe in our party or its leadership.
“He abuses and castigates party leaders both in private and in public. Even the national leaders are like children as far as our candidate is concerned.
“The governorship candidate of our party in Bayelsa State deceived us about his financial preparedness to contest this governorship election. Every Bayelsan knows the enormous financial implications of contesting for the position of governor of a state.
“The candidate is also 100 per cent aware that the party has depleted its resources in the last presidential election and he ought to also know he should have come prepared. Instead, he came and was asking the party what we have brought to the table.
“Financially, in the spirit of disrespect and disbelief in the leadership of the party, the candidate has been visiting our communities, wards and constituencies without informing the party.
“Our Labour Party structure in the various state levels will call the leaders and complain that they are seeing our candidate in their various communities and that they are not aware of his coming.
“This has made the local government and ward chairmen to lose confidence in the candidate as a person, who if elected will not only sideline the party but will also drive the party out of Bayelsa State.”
The party chairmen concluded their statement with a vow to support the candidacy of Governor Douye Diri, who is seeking reelection on PDP’s platform, with a view to saving the existing structures of Labour Party in the state from collapse and extinction.
“We would rather vote for a more prepared candidate who, in our assessment, will perform well when elected and carry the numerous labour party members along; the miracle Governor, Senator Douye Diri of the PDP.”
Eradiri accuses party of collecting N100m from Governor Diri
In a counter-accusation, however, Eradiri accused the party leaders in the state of betraying him after collecting N100 million from Governor Douye Diri.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, the LP governorship candidate said: “Just yesterday, they did a press conference after collecting N100 million from the governor. The sharing formula started creating problems.”
Eradiri alleged that the party’s state chairman collected a whopping N100 million and claimed to have sent N50 million to the national leadership of the party even though the national body denied it, while the sharing of the other N50 million was causing a lot of rancor.
The LP governorship candidate accused the party’s leadership in the state of requesting money before agreeing to go with him on campaign trips.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Thursday that it had distributed sensitive election materials to all the eight local government areas in the state ahead of today’s governorship election.
The Head of voter education and publicity at INEC’s State Headquarters, Wilfred Ifogah, told journalists in Yenagoa that the election materials were already in the custody of the Central Bank of Nigeria branch in Yenagoa and were distributed in the presence of representatives from all political parties participating in the polls.
Ifogah said: “The distribution took place earlier today (Thursday) in the presence of political parties and security agencies.
“Currently, the sensitive materials are at our local government offices from where they will be dispatched to the Registration Area Centres (RAC) on Friday.
“On Saturday, the materials will then be taken from the RACs to various polling units for setup.”
Since Wednesday, there had been heavy presence of stern-looking armed security men screening people and vehicles within the vicinity of INEC’s head office in the state.
Detachments of police and other security agencies deployed for election duties have been arriving in the state since Wednesday while political parties wrap up their campaigns.
A total of 1,056,862 registered voters are expected to go to the polls on Nov. 11 to elect a governor for the state during the off-cycle election.
INEC deploys six National Commissioners, 27 RECs, says voters will decide next gov
INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, vowed that the choice of who becomes the next governor of Imo, Kogi or Bayelsa State would rest solely with voters in the affected states.
To ensure a credible election, the INEC boss said the Commission had deployed 2 National Commissioners and nine Resident Electoral Commissioners and Administrative Secretaries to supervise the elections in each of the three states.
In a message to the people of the three states, Prof Yakubu asked all INEC deployed officials (both regular and ad hoc staff) to display the highest level of professionalism and patriotism throughout the period of the election.
He also assured that election results will be uploaded in the INEC Result Viewing portal, insisting that the commission was not a political party and has no candidate in the election.
The statement reads: “In less than 24 hours, 5,169,692 Nigerians who collected their permanent voter cards (PVCs) are expected to vote in off-cycle governorship elections.
“This is the first time in our history that these elections are held on the same day and across three geo-political zones of the country: North Central (Kogi), South East (Imo) and South South (Bayelsa).
“As we approach the Election Day, I wish to call on our officials (both regular and ad-hoc) to demonstrate the highest level of patriotism and professionalism.
“As I said repeatedly, not least during my recent readiness assessment visits to the three states, INEC is not a political party and we have no candidate in the election.
“Our responsibility is to safeguard the process and ensure a level playing field for all political parties and candidates.
“The choice of who becomes the governor of Bayelsa, Imo or Kogi state is entirely in the hands of voters.
“We have delivered all sensitive and non-sensitive materials for the elections.
The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) have been configured for deployment to Polling Units as the only means of voter verification and fingerprint/facial biometric authentication of voters.
“Polling Unit results will be uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. All election duty officials have been trained. Arrangements have been made for land and maritime transportation to enable us to commence voting on schedule.
“In spite of the extremely difficult terrain and physical infrastructure in some locations, we are determined to ensure that our officials are there waiting for voters rather than the voters waiting for our arrival.
“For these off-cycle elections, the Commission is deploying two (2) National Commissioners, nine (9) Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and Administrative Secretaries (ASs) as well as additional staff from different States to each of the three States to support the process. They will be deployed across the senatorial zones in the States.”
EFCC deploys officers in Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has deployed its operatives on election monitoring operations in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states.
The commission’s Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, in a statement said the operations were aimed at checking electoral fraud and associated crimes.
He said: “In its drive to checkmate electoral fraud and associated financial crimes, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has deployed its officers to Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo states where governorship elections are holding on Saturday, November 11, 2023.
“The commission’s monitoring operations are to tackle any form of voter’s inducement through vote buying, vote selling and other manipulation of the electoral processes at variance with the Electoral Act.”
The Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Area, Mohammed Danasabe Mohammed, has died few hours to the Kogi State governorship election scheduled for today.
Danasabe, who was said to have attended a stakeholders meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Kogi State Government House, was said to have suddenly taken ill at his residence and slumped late in the evening of Thursday.
He was said to have been rushed to Shifa Hospital, Lokoja where doctors pronounced him dead in the early hours of yesterday.
The Nation learnt yesterday that the deceased would be buried at the Unguwan Kura Muslim Cemetery after the Juma’at prayer.
The Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the APC in Lokoja, Talba Lakwaja, confirmed the incident in a statement.
“This is to notify the general public that the remains of the Lokoja Local Government Council Chairman, Hon. Mohammed Danasebe Mohammed, will be buried at Anguwan Kura burial ground 2pm immediately after jummat prayer.
“The body will depart his family house at Cantonment to Lokoja Central Mosque by 1:30pm,” he said.
Police in Lagos mourn death of Constable bitten by fleeing detainee
THE Ilupeju Division of the Lagos State Police Command is mourning the death of a Police Constable, Olawale Akinlotan, attached to the Ilupeju Division.
Akinlotan was said to have slumped and died on Monday while on duty at his station where he served as an orderly to the Divisional Police Officer.
While the cause of his death remains yet a mystery, the graduate of Mass Communication from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State was said to have died a few days after he was bitten by a detainee who was trying to escape from custody.
He was said to have helped in apprehending the fleeing suspect who, in the process, bit his shoulder, fingers and other parts of his body.
The deceased policeman was said to have made light of the incident while posting the videos of the incident on Tiktok on October 19 with the words: “Job hazard. Thank God for life. Human bite is worse than scorpion/snake venom.”
Prior to his posting to the Ilupeju Police Division, Akinlotan had served as one of the media men at the Lagos State Police Public Relations Office.
Born in 1996, Akinlotan enrolled in the Nigeria Police Force as a constable in 2018.
He had first worked at the Isheri Division after which he worked very closely with AIG Hakeem Odumosu (rtd), attached to the PRO office as a camera/media man.
His death has since sparked controversy within the ranks of the Nigeria Police Force with complaints by some of his colleagues that policemen are being overworked and given little or no time to rest.
One of them was quoted as saying: “They won’t give us time to rest. Nobody cares about our health at work. Even when you are sick, they would tell you to bring a medical report before asking you to go and treat yourself.
“You work many shifts a day. They won’t approve annual leave for us. Tell me how officers won’t continue to drop dead.
“It’s sad we keep losing officers to avoidable circumstances.”
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called for violent free elections in Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi states.
Governorship elections will be held on Saturday, November 11, in the three states.
The Director General of the Institute, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, in a statement urged all stakeholders to ensure that the elections are without violence and bloodletting.
He noted that the off-cycle elections present peculiar challenges because of violence in some of the states, adding that during the campaigns, pockets of violence were noticed and that the attitude by some political stakeholders to unleash violence should be stopped, because it has the capacity to distort the credibility of an election.
He stated that the key actors in this election have the responsibility of ensuring that the election is violence-free. They also have the responsibility of ensuring that people come out to vote to avoid voter apathy.
He also advised that the key actors in the elections should ensure that the credibility of the elections is not questioned. They should play by the rules.
He said the Army, Police, and other security agencies have promised to ensure that the elections are violence-free, but the stakeholders in the election should on their part ensure that their supporters maintain peace during and after the election.
He recalled that at least 18 political parties taking part in Saturday’s governorship poll in Imo state have signed a peace accord to eschew violence before, during, and after the exercise.
Ochogwu said signing of peace accords alone cannot guarantee peace, insisting that the actors involved in the elections should ensure that the peace accord signed is followed with action.
He said: “The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution calls for violent free, rule-based elections so that the credibility of the elections is not questioned.
“The key actors should play by the rules. The election is not a do-or-die affair. You have to be alive to be in politics. Politics is not done in isolation. The key actors should have it at the back of their mind that nothing can be achieved with violence.”
Security has been beefed up at the state headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lokoja, Kogi State as the commission prepares for the Saturday governorship election in the state.
Several personnel of security agencies including Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security, and others from different commands in the North Central and North West were seen at the INEC office located at Post Office Area, Lokoja.
Two armoured personnel carriers and seven patrol vehicles were stationed at the entrance gate and major road leading to the INEC office
Visitors to the state INEC headquarters were thoroughly frisked by the anti-riot policemen at the INEC entrance gate.
The road leading to the INEC office was manned by the men of the Counter Terrorism Unit and some of the security personnel were also seen with sniffer dogs in and around the premises of the office.
Efforts to reach the spokesman of the Kogi State Police Command to find out the issues leading to the water-tight security proved abortive as of the time of filing this report
He neither picked nor returned his calls and did not respond to a text message sent to him.
But, a senior security source who spoke with our reporter under anonymity because he was not authorized to speak, said the arrangement was apparently to provide protection for electoral officers and materials.
Kogi State Police Command has ordered restriction of vehicular movement from 11:59 pm on Friday, November 10, to 6 pm on Saturday, November 11.
Spokesman of the command, SP William Aya, made this known in a statement on Friday in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital that the movement restriction was due to the governorship election holding on Saturday, November 11.
The police advised motorists who may wish to use Kogi state as their route during the restricted hours to take alternative routes.
Aya said: “The Police appeal to the general public to adhere to this order to avoid any inconveniences they might encounter while en route to Kogi state.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) issued a stern warning to its staff on Friday, November 10, cautioning them about severe consequences if found wanting in the discharge of their duties during the Kogi state governorship election.
The commission also said it would guarantee a level playing field for all candidates and urged all stakeholders to join hands with it to make the election successful.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kogi State, Dr Hale Longpet, who made these assertions in Lokoja during a press conference, also insisted that no voter would be allowed to carry their phones into the polling booths while voting in order to curb the incidence of vote buying during the election.
Longpet said: “As we approach Election Day, I wish to call on our officials (both regular and ad-hoc) to demonstrate the highest level of patriotism and professionalism.
“As I said repeatedly, not least during my recent readiness assessment visits to the three States, INEC is not a political party and we have no candidate in the election.
“Our responsibility is to safeguard the process and ensure a level playing field for all political parties and candidates.
“The choice of who becomes the Governor of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states is entirely in the hands of voters. We have delivered all sensitive and non-sensitive materials for the elections.
“The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has been configured for deployment to Polling Units as the only means of voter verification and fingerprint/facial biometric authentication of voters.”
The Kogi REC said Polling Unit results would be uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
He added: “All election duty officials have been trained. Arrangements have been made for land and maritime transportation to enable us to commence voting on schedule.
“In spite of the extremely difficult terrain and physical infrastructure in some locations, we are determined to ensure that our officials are there waiting for voters rather than the voters waiting for our arrival.”
Kogi REC said: “For these off-cycle elections, the Commission is deploying two (2) National Commissioners, nine (9) Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) and administrative Secretaries (ASs) as well as additional staff from different states to each of the three States to support the process. They will be deployed across the senatorial zones in the States.”
He noted that election is a multi-stakeholder responsibility and that lessons have been learnt from recent elections.
He added: “We will continue to ensure free, fair and credible and inclusive elections but INEC cannot do it alone.
“We have received assurances from the security agencies that the environment will be secure for electoral activities and all participants: voters, electoral officials, accredited observers, the media and polling/collation agents.
“Political parties and candidates have signed the peace accord under the auspices of the National Peace Committee (NPC). Let us maintain the peace and play our roles conscientiously. By doing so, we shall continue to consolidate our democracy.”
He will be buried at the Unguwan Kura Muslim cemetery after the Juma’at prayer on Friday.
The Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lokoja, Talba Lakwaja, confirmed the incident in a statement.
“This is to notify the general public that the remains of the Lokoja Local Government Council Chairman, Hon. Mohammed Dasebe Mohammed, will be buried at Anguwan Kura burial ground 2pm immediately after jummat prayer. The body will depart his family house at cantonment to Lokoja Central Mosque by 1:30pm,” he said in a statement.
The deceased was from Ward B in the cantonment area of Lokoja.
