STAKEHOLDERS in Kogi State has urged the Independent Electoral Commission, (INEC) to improve its level of preparation for the Kogi west senatorial supplementary election this Saturday to avoid a repeat performance of violence that characterised the November 16 elections.
Speakers at the INEC organised stakeholders forum on Tuesday ahead of the Saturday elections told the commission that the level of violence witnessed in the November 16 election across the state was shameful and should not be allowed to repeat itself on Saturday.
Reverend Samuel Owolabi a Director, National Issues of Christian Association of Nigeria,(CAN) who went on his knees to plead with INEC said that “if the election will not be greeted with apathy on Saturday, the commission should in collaboration the security agencies ensure the safety of lives and property on Saturday.
” What happened last Saturday was nothing but a civil war, where guns were freely used on those they were meant to be protected by the security agencies, I am kneeling before God and you INEC officials not to allow what happened in the November election repeat itself ” Owolabi begged INEC.
ALSO READ: Nasarawa SUBEB opens bid for award of N5. 4bn contracts
Also speaking, Simon Eneojo of Justice Development and Peace Commission decried the level of security personnel involvement in the crisis urging INEC to look for alternative means of securing lives and property on the supplementary election day as the police had failed in their responsibility.
Earlier, the residence electoral Commissioner, Professor James Apam, had said that the commission was more than ready for the election as all logistics and funding have been provided.
He, however, said that sensitive materials would be deployed on Friday preceding the election day.
The Kogi West Senatorial supplementary election will take place in 53 polling units while the Ajaokuta Federal constituency will take place in 22 polling units.
and then