Kogi 2023 Guber: Govt. promises enabling environment, conducive atmosphere for November election.

IDRIS AHMED, LOKOJA.

Kogi state government has reiterated its commitment to ensure enabling environment and to create a conducive atmosphere for all to vote any party of their choice, before and during the November Governorship election.

Commissioner for Information and Communications Honourable Kinsley Fanwo, who briefed the Press on the state of security in the state ahead of November election on Monday, noted with satisfaction, the operations being carried out by security agencies to rid the state of criminality, which has brought down insecurity by over 40%.

He said , ” the recent happening at Ejule was a necessary stitch-in-time led by security agents in the state to rid the state of criminality. For the umpteenth time, we reiterate our endorsement of the operation that has brought down insecurity in that area by over 40%”.

While citing the late Kabir Bala popularly known as Okwo as a terror in the East, who kidnapped, raped young women and housewives and terrorising the entire Kogi East, the Commissioner lamented that motorists traversing the state were subjected to “Okwo levy” and other acts of extreme intimidation and criminality.

However, the Commissioner refered to Chapter 4, Section 33 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria stated extensively about the various rights conferred on the citizens of Nigeria, one of which is the right to life, but these rights have limitations. Kabir Bala opened fire on security operatives with the intent to murder them.

” According to the report by the security agencies, they engaged his gang at this point and he was neutralised in the process, as a person who attempts to evade lawful arrest and even attempts to kill security agents can no longer hold on to such rights, therefore his killing couldn’t be termed extra-judicial by any standard” he said.

Hon. Fanwo therefore challenged the SDP fans of the late Kabir Bala to declare their interest in the criminal enterprise of the late crime lord or there is a pact between them and the late notorious leader to assassinate members of other parties.

” We are patiently waiting for the Law Enforcement agents to unravel the mystery by inviting those making unguarded and reckless statements without minding the opprobrium of being associated with a serial killer.

” Our Government will not submit its authority to criminals. We can’t come this far taming terrorists for the past 90 months only to lose it to the garrulous crime sponsors defending a criminal. We call on security agencies to call the actors inciting violence for thorough investigation. They must be held to account for their claims.” he said.

While assuring that the Government we will do everything within the curve of law to guarantee a  peaceful poll in November, the Commissioner also restated that It is its responsibility to give confidence to the people that they are free from attacks during electioneering period and on the day of exercising their franchise.

“Intimidation, ethnic and religious profiling and other anti-social and unconstitutional acts will be met with stiff resistance. It is our duty to the people to create a conducive atmosphere for all to vote any party of their choice.” Fanwo maintained