The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has pledged that the force will come down heavily on anybody or party that attempts to disrupt the conduct of Saturday’s governorship and senatorial rerun elections in Kogi state.
Speaking at the stakeholders’ meeting with political parties in Lokoja, the state capital, the Inspector-General says the police is ready to deal with any security concern before, during and after the elections.
TV C News Senior Political Correspondent, Ayodele Ozugbakun, who was at the meeting, reports that political parties, candidates and stakeholders took some time off their hectic campaign schedules to attend this crucial stakeholders meeting in Lokoja, the State capital.
They stormed the venue, with their supporters creating a rowdy situation at the place.
The atmosphere was charged by accusations and counter accusations by the candidates, while supporters of various political parties almost clashed at the event.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu and other national officers hosted the event. He set the ball rolling by assuring Nigerians of INEC readiness to conduct a hitch-free exercise on Saturday.
Having carried out a pre-election security assessment across the state, the police, being the lead security agency in the election, appeared ready to deal with outbreak of violence.
The IGP said the police will come down hard on any individual or party attempting to foment trouble.
Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Musa Wada complained of thuggery, intimidation and arbitrary arrests across the state ahead of the election. The Governor, Yayaha Bello replied by accusing the PDP of adopting same tactics.
Twenty-four political parties participating in the election again signed a peace accord with INEC.
All eyes are on the Confluence State, as the people choose their governor and a senator for Kogi West Senatorial District.
Residents are however apprehensive ahead of the d-day, due to fear of possible threat to peace in the state.
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