The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the ongoing governorship election in some local government areas (LGAs) of Kogi state over electoral malpractices.
Affected LGAs include Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene.
The commission, via its X handle, on Saturday night, November 11, said it received reports from its officials in Kogi state on incidents of electoral malpractices, particularly the incident of result sheets completed before voting.
“Reports indicate that the incidents occurred in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene local government areas. The most serious incidents occurred in Ogori/Magongo, affecting nine of 10 registration areas,” the statement added.
The electoral body described the development as ‘entirely unacceptable,’ adding that any result not emanating from the commission’s process in the polling units would not be accepted.
“The commission is determined not to reward bad behaviour. Consequently, the election in the nine wards in Ogori/Magongo LGA (Eni, Okibo, Okesi, Ileteju, Aiyeromi, Ugugu, Obinoyin, Obatgben and Oturu) is at this moment suspended. The incidences in the other local government areas are being thoroughly investigated, and the outcome, including the way forward, will be announced in the next 24 hours.”
Meanwhile, INEC stated that the electoral processes in other parts of the state continue, noting that it would continue to follow the audit trail of personnel and materials to ascertain those who might have been complicit in undermining the process.
It further assured the electorate in the state that their votes would be protected and their wishes would be respected.
The ICIR reported how YIAGA Africa, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dino Melaye, and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Muritala Ajaka, raised the alarm over pre-filled and forged results sheet in Ogori/Magongo.
The civil society organisation and the two opposition parties’ candidates condemned the acts and called on INEC to investigate the incident.
The PDP candidate further called on INEC to cancel the election in the five LGAs.
Melaye is one of the 18 candidates cleared by INEC to vie for the governorship seat in Saturday, November 11, off-cycle election in the state.
Other leading candidates are Muritala Ajaka (SDP), Ododo Usman Ahmed (APC), and Leke Abejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The election in Kogi is one of the three off-cycle governorship polls held on Saturday, November 11.
Other states with a similar exercise are Imo and Bayelsa.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: [email protected]. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M