Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
A Chieftain of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State, Hon. Ben Adaji has called on president Ahmed Bola Tinubu to declare a State of Emergency in Kogi State before the November 11 governorship election to give way for free and fair pools in the state.
Adaji who made the call in Jalingo shortly on arrival from campaign tour of Kogi on Monday said that the spate of violent killings and threat to lives and property in Kogi State would not guarantee any free and fair election.
Adaji a former SDP House of Reps candidate for Ankpa, Olamaboro and Omala federal constituency said that the situation in Kogi State would militate against credible election if urgent security measures are not taken.
“I am calling on Mr President to act fast and declare a state of emergency in Kogi state before the Nov. 11 which is slated for the Governorship election in the state.
“A situation where candidates of opposition political parties cannot move freely to campaign due to fear of being attacked and assassinated would not guarantee for free and fair polls.
The SDP Chieftain feared that the spate of political killings currently going on in Kogi State, especially Kogi East calls for urgent concern.
Adaji disclosed that there is no way INEC can guarantee the people of Kogi State free and fair elections under the present security threat.
“We are aware of plans by the ruling APC to deploy armed thugs to all polling units in Kogi East to disrupt elections and to scare people away from voting.
As it is today, a good number of us working for the SDP governorship candidate, Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka have been pencilled down for elimination.
“Before I left Ankpa yesterday, several people have warned me to stay clear of Kogi State and that a particular council Chairman had sent people to warn me and threatened to deal with me – he said.
“Let me therefore, send this appeal to the president to declare State of emergency so that even if I am killed during the election it will be on record that I raised the alarm.
“It is unfortunate that a sitting as well as the outgoing governor has taken the election as a do or die affair and so Kogi is not safe for the coming election – he added.