Group Calls On INEC, Security Agencies To Investigate Kogi Election

Blessing Bature, Abuja


The League of Women Voters of Nigeria has yesterday Called on Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, security agencies and other stakeholders to Investigate the Kogi election and hold those responsible for undermining the integrity of the electoral process and prosecute them in accordance with the electoral act and other extant laws to serve as a deterrent to others in future elections.

The programme Manager, NILOWV, Okiemute Olori said this yesterday during a press conference in Abuja, adding that her Network of observers deloyed across the 21 local government area in Kogi state reported early before the opening of poll units in almost all the polling units, INEC logistics was impressive as materials for the election were distributed on time to most of the units with slight hitches in reaching the riverine areas due to the inability of transporters to fulfill their own part of the agreement.

She said the turn out of women and participation in the elections was observed to be very impressive and a good number of women were also seen in the election administration such as presiding Officers, Assistant presiding Officers and security operatives in most of the polling units, saying that women and pregnant women were given separate queues including women living with disabilities and elders were all allowed to cast their votes.

She however said that widespread of violence was observed in Kogi East and West senatorial districts where women were driven out of the polling units, and Lokoja LGA recorded the highest number of incidents of violence while in Kogi West 4 persons reportedly killed in Adankolo, Ganaja and phase 2 with ballot boxes snatched amidst sporadic shootings with some security operatives giving cover for the thugs to operate, she added.

While commending INEC for timely deployment of logistics and election officials and materials notwithstanding the difficult terrain obtainable in both states, she said INEC efforts in conducting one of the most peaceful election in Bayelsa state is commendable atleast it appears to be the most peaceful election ever conducted in Bayelsa and urged INEC, security agencies and other stakeholders to hold those responsible for undermining the integrity of the electoral process and prosecute them in accordance with the electoral Act, 2010 and other extant laws to serve as a deterrent to others in the future.

Also speaking, the Convener, Director of Operations, NILOWV, Pst Regina Omo-Agege said though most of the security operatives conducted themselves in professional manner in controlling crowds during the election, some however failed to protect the election as hoodlums and thugs were allowed to take over the process with the security operatives watched helplessly as the carnage went on.