Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
Election Observers who worked in Taraba State during the just concluded 18th March Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections have commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a credible and transparent polls in the State.
Fidelis Nweke, Team Leader, International Standard Centre for Development and Future Leaders Global Initiative in collaboration with other INEC accredited Observer groups that worked in the State made the commendation while briefing newsmen in Jalingo.
“The Electoral umpire improved on their services during the Governorship and State Assembly election in the State.
According to the Team Leader, the Exercise in the State was generally peaceful except in one area where according to him, violence errupted and later settled.
“Our Team observed that the Exercise in the State was generally peaceful except some pocket of violence that was observed at Donga LGA, however, elections were later continued and the outcome was peaceful”,
“BVAS, we want to State here categorically that the BVAS functioned properly in all the areas our Team visited”, he said.
He revealed that Future Leaders Global Initiative and International Standard Centre for Development deployed over 400 Election Observers across the 16 LGAs of the State saying feedbacks were received appropriately from his men from their various places of assignment.
While reiterating that the Governorship and State Assembly Elections that took place on the 18th March, 2023 in the State is conformed with the international best practices, adding that the outcome of the Election was generally accepted and peaceful.
He appreciated the Electorates and people of Taraba State for their resilience and the manner they conducted themselves during and after the Elections.
“We wish to commend the Electorates and people of Taraba State for their resilience, way and manner in which they conducted themselves during and after the Elections”,
“It is also very important to say that the Election Result declared by INEC in the State is a true reflection of of the wishes of the people, for they have spoken through the Ballot.
The Governor-elect, Col. Agbu Kefas (Rtd), who was congratulated by the Team was enjoined to operate an open door policy with a view to carrying everybody along.
“We call on all the Political Parties, Stakeholders and the Candidates to put on the spirit of sportsmanship, for in any contest, there is always a winner and a loser, we advise the winner to extend a hand of fellowship to the losers in order to move the State forward”, he added.