The Independent National Electoral Commission has attributed delays in the Kogi governorship election to what they describe as deliberate acts of sabotage by unknown entities.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Haliru Sule, the State INEC Voter Education and Publicity Officer, highlighted the challenges faced despite INEC’s meticulous preparations.
Sule expressed, “As an election umpire, INEC made adequate preparations for this off-circle governorship election, yet we still experienced some hitches here and there. To us, these hitches are deliberate sabotage by some unseen forces.” He specifically pointed out unexpected transportation challenges, stating, “We didn’t expect the sudden dearth of vehicles that could transport our Adhoc staff and materials to their respective polling units.”
Despite the setbacks, Sule emphasized the commission’s resilience, stating, “But all the same, we tried our best and overcame the challenges, which gave room for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the election.”
He expressed confidence in the overall fairness and success of the process: “We are confident that at the end of the exercise, it would be said that it was free, fair, credible, and successful.”
Acknowledging the role of security forces, Sule appreciated, “We are appreciative of the efforts of the security operatives at giving our personnel and the electorates adequate security cover for a peaceful and successful election.”
As the election unfolded, the INEC chairman, Yakubu Mahmood, was unavailable for direct comments, but the commission assured their stand in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process despite challenges.
