Kogi bye-election: Alleged ballot snatcher killed, as parties call for cancellation of poll

Another alleged ballot snatcher during the Kogi/Lokoja federal constituency bye-election, Yahaya Umoru, was killed while attempting to steal the ballot box used for the election in one of the polling units in ward C, Lokoja local government area.

This is coming as the three out of the major political parties that participated in the election on Saturday have called for a total cancellation of the process.

However, the death of Umoru, which was said to have occurred at the polling unit near Maigeri’s palace, was said to be as a result of the alleged attempt by the young boy to snatch the ballot box when he discovered that the party he was supporting was not winning the unit.

The mob keeping vigil at the polling unit were said to have prevented him and fought him in the process of which he died

The parties that called for the cancellation include the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in a joint statement said the bye-election as was conducted was a rape on democracy.

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The party lamented that with the level of irregularities and violence that characterised the poll, the result had been predetermined.

The statement, which was signed by the state publicity secretary of the PDP, Bode Ogunmola and his counterpart from the ADC, Ade Ismail, said the developments in the state on Saturday had shown that democracy was dead in the country.

The parties said, “Today is a black day in Kogi state as we witnessed a broad daylight rape of democracy, human right and the rule of law through wanton destruction of electoral materials, snatching of ballot boxes, obvious physical assault on innocent electorates as well as destruction of public and private properties of perceived enemies of the APC led government”.

The parties regretted that many of the atrocities were committed under the watchful eyes of the security agents, saying that the election should not stand.

Confirming the killing, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Williams Aya, said the deceased was killed by party supporters.