The Social Democratic Party on Friday cautioned against violence and irregularities ahead of the October 19 Local Government elections in Kogi State.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja by the National Secretary of the party, Dr Olu Agunloye.
The warning comes a few hours after the state government assured that the restriction of movement during the poll on Saturday won’t affect travellers seeking passage through Kogi.
But Agunloye urged both the Federal and Kogi Governments to take proactive measures to avert violence, ballot box stealing and any blight that could mar the election.
The SDP scribe stated that at a time when Kogi State is facing devastating floods and severe socio-economic crisis, the people shouldn’t be made to pass through another harrowing experience.
He said, “The vicious effect of current floods, which have submerged a significant part of the State underwater in over 180 locations, has displaced an estimated 260,000 people and disfranchised them from participation in any election until normalcy is restored.
“We are urgently calling for caution and restraint to avoid unwholesome escalation and breakdown of law and order. The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Kogi State Government must avoid catastrophic escalation, especially at this precarious time when Kogi State is still submerged in devastating floods of rains and river overflows.
“It is sad and painful. This is more so because the embattled Nigerian leadership under the APC is struggling with economic policies and combating the debilitating insecurity crisis caused by bandits on our farmlands, highways and government offices.”
The SDP also accused the state government of disregarding an ‘ongoing court case at the Federal High Court’ in respect of the same LG elections.
The party argued that the legitimate list of SDP candidates for the LG election, which was duly signed by its national secretariat and delivered to the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission has been tampered with.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
