As the November 11 gubernatorial elections in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi states draws closer,there have been reports of high tension particularly in Imo and Kogi states, where the indices are not looking so good.There are fears as reports of threats of violence looms especially in the two states.It was the same scenario in the two states during the 2023 general elections.
Feelers show that though residents are desirous of coming out en-masse during the polls, they are afraid of losing their lives.
They are equally skeptical and concerned that the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), might not deliver free, fair and credible elections, considering what happened during the 2023 general elections.
The destruction of posters of the opposition candidates in states like Imo and Kogi, the physical attacks on party supporters and the malfunctioning of the BVAS machines have not helped matters either.
However, President Bola Tinubu had during the handing over of the All Progressives Congress, APC, flag to the party’s candidates in the elections at the Banquet Hall of the Aso Rock Villa, called for free, fair, and transparent elections in the three states.
“All I am asking for is free and fair elections. I believe we will do well,” President Tinubu charged the stakeholders, comprising the three candidates, Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Usman Ododo (Kogi), and Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa), the party’s national chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and his National Working Committee (NWC) members, among others.
Meanwhile,The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun recently ordered the deployment of security operatives to Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa for the governorship elections on November 11.
Following the IGP’s order, it was reported that about 40,000 police officers had been deployed to Kogi State.
