INEC Speaks Ahead Kogi Election

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria’s electoral umpire has said the commission is willing and ready to deliver credible, acceptable, free, fair and conclusive election in Kogi State come November 16.

Naija News understands that the INEC chairman disclosed this at a Stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital.

The INEC Chairman said it was exactly 36 days to the Nov. 16, Governorship election in Kogi and Bayelsa States and the commission was fully ready.

Naija News reports that Yakubu in his statement during the stakeholders’ meeting, noted that all non-sensitive materials for the election had already been organised and batched Local Governments by Local Government, political parties and polling units.

The INEC chairman said the commission concluded the collection process for uncollected PVCs on Sept. 30.

In his words, the INEC Chairman said as thus; “We have quarantined all the cards brought back to the office here in Lokoja and delivered them to the Central Bank of Nigeria.’’

“Campaigns have commenced. You have a responsibility as citizens of Nigeria and of Kogi State to keep your state away from this toga of trepidation, concerns, tensions and violence during elections.

“INEC is not a political party. We are not interested in any candidate but only interested in the processes that will lead to a credible outing.

“You are aware as we all are, that there is this unfortunate image of the state as a violence-prone state when it comes to elections”, he said.

“I wish to assure that before the election, I will come with the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

“If coming to Kogi every week between now and Nov. 16 will lead to peace, credible election in Kogi state, I will come to Kogi every week till the end of the election, ‘’ 

“We believe that with your support, we can deliver peaceful fair free credible acceptable and conclusive election in Kogi State. We can’t do it alone.

“We can only succeed when the people of Kogi State are determined that the process should be free, fair, credible and conclusive,’’ Yakubu said.