Supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to disregard alleged attempts by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Muritala Yakubu, to undermine democratic processes.
The youth groups, coming together in a peaceful protest at the INEC office in Lokoja, the state capital, voiced concerns about the SDP’s purported intimidation of INEC officials.
Several speakers at the protest denounced the SDP’s threat to set fire to INEC as a perilous assault on democracy.
Oluwakayode Emmanuel, from Kabba Bunu Local Government Area, lauded the peaceful and violence-free nature of the election.
Former Majority Leader of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Bello Hassan, called on security agencies, the Presidency, and authorities to intervene, expressing concern that the SDP candidate’s actions could lead to a breakdown of law and order.
“We are using this medium to ask President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call Alhaji Muritala Ajaka to order. He cannot be above the law. The Kogi election was without mincing words, the best we have ever had.
“The people of Kogi State have spoken and no amount of threat to democracy, wanting to disrupt the activities of INEC, will change the results. The people of the State will resist any attempt to undermine their wishes and aspirations as displayed by voting for the APC,” he stated.
On his part, Comr. Richard Otitoleke described the threat by the SDP as a threat to democracy.
“No one is above the law. We are worried that for a party that is structureless, with no visible presence in the State, to threaten to burn down INEC and undermine the credibility of the Commission, it is an anomaly that must not be allowed to stand.
“The Kogi election has been won and lost; we call on the SDP to take a cue from the PDP and not heighten tension in the State. INEC has conducted the best election ever in the State,” he said.
