Opposition parties in Kogi State have accused the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission of diverting sensitive election materials to the Government House.
They are demanding the arrest and prosecution of the KOSIEC Chairman for his alleged role in the incident.
The protests took place at the KOSIEC office in Lokoja on Friday, ahead of the local government elections scheduled for Saturday. The organizing secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kogi State, Ibrahim, spoke on behalf of the opposition.
“Sensitive materials were allegedly diverted to Kogi Government House,” Ibrahim claimed. He added, “Many Kogites could not exercise their franchise. This is disgraceful. The ruling All Progressives Congress in Kogi State has criminalized the system and has continued to promote immunity. Opposition parties in Kogi State will not accept this.”
Ibrahim also urged the National Assembly to pass a law allowing the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct local government elections across the country, rather than state electoral bodies. He called on the Federal Government to punish those involved in the alleged fraud.
The opposition parties expressed their regret for participating in the election, blaming the APC government for the current economic difficulties. Ibrahim said, “If the election is conducted transparently, the ruling party will lose at both the federal and state levels.”
He further accused security agencies in the state of unprofessional conduct during the election process, adding to the concerns raised by the opposition parties.
