Idris Ahmed, Lokoja.
The much a waited date for the election into local government councils in Kogi state has been fixed by the State independent electoral commission (KSIEC), putting to rest all speculations including the earlier announcement by the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello that the exercise will hold in October.
Chairman of the KOSIEC, Hon Mamman Nda Eri, while addressing stakeholders on Wednesday in Lokoja, declared that the Commission has finally fixed December 12 this year for the conduct of the election into the 21 local government councils in the state.
He said the delay in the processes
of the election was caused by the unforeseeable Corona virus pandemic which has crippled a lot of social, economic and political activities not only in Nigeria, but globally.
Hon. Eri also told the stakeholders to channel their complaints, inquiries, recommendations and advises on the conduct of the local government councils election to the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission as its doors are open to all irrespective of political leanings.
“You could recall that His Excellency, the Governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello inaugurated the state independent electoral commission members on the 11th March 2020 with the core mandate to conduct free, fair, and credible local government polls in the nearest possible time in the year 2020. However, the commission was constraint to kick start early, because of the COVID-19 pandemic which spread like wild fire in the harmattan “. The Chairman stated.
He assured that the Commission has put in place necessary measures that would lead to successful conduct of the election and therefore urged the stakeholders to cooperate so as to ensure the conduct of the exercise that will be devoid of rancour and acrimony in the state.
According to the Chairman, the Commission has in accordance with the provision of the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and the Electoral Act 2010 and other powers enabling, has commenced the processes beginning with the meeting of stakeholders and sensitisation of the electorate.
Other activities, he said, include collection of nomination forms from political parties, conduct of primary election, campaigns and election proper.
The stakeholders meeting was attended by Security chiefs, political parties, Civil Society Organisations , Traditional rulers, community leaders, professionals,women leaders and journalists among others .
Kogi state Commissioner of Police , Ede Ayuba, warned trouble makers to stay clear of the state as his command would not tolerate any act of violence before, during and after the election, pointing out that the police is combat ready to ensure a peaceful conduct of the local government election.
