Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo casting his vote in Okene
B IBRAHIM MOMOH, Lokoja –
The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission, (KOSIEC), on Saturday conducted a peaceful Local Government elections across the 21 Councils in the state.
Polling units visited across the three Senatorial districts of the state were opened as early as 9;00am as earlier announced by the Commission.
At polling unit 4 Odendu/Upogoro, Ward in Okene Local Government Area, the polling officials arrived as early as 8.45am while voting commenced at 9;am.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, commended the peaceful conduct of the Local Government elections across the 21 LGAs in the state.
The Governor stated this after casting his ballot in his hometown of Upogoro in Okene local government area of the state.
Governor Ododo who voted at pulling unit 1, Upogoro/Odenku ward in Okene LGA, Commended the people of the state for conducting themselves peacefully irrespective of political divide.
He noted that his administration has created the enabling environment for all political parties to vote for candidates of their choice without any intimation, adding that adequate security measures was been put in place to guarantee a hitch-free process.
He called on the security agencies to sustain their good work until the end of the exercise when results are declared.
He also commended the KOSIEC for conducting a peaceful, credible transparent, and acceptable process.
The governor enjoined the people of the state to continue to support his administration, noting that everything will be done to ease the current hardship in the land.
He assured that the policies of the administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu will soon continue to yield positive results and called for the support of the people.
Also, the Deputy Governor of the State, Joel Salifu, commended the the commission for conducting a peaceful and transparent electoral process in the ongoing local government election in the state.
Addressing the press shortly after exercising his franchise at his polling unit 010 Egwubi, Ofu local government area, Deputy Governor Joel Salifu emphasized that the election would be the most peaceful and credible exercise in the history of the state.
He noted that feedback received from party leaders across the Kogi East Senatorial district, indicated that the process is characterized by openness, ease, and transparency, expressing delight at the substantial turnout of voters at the polling stations.
He encouraged voters who have yet to visit their designated polling units to promptly do so in order to cast their ballots for their preferred candidates.
Deputy Governor equally expressed optimism that the All Progressives Congress will coast to Victory after the election, stating that the people of the state are happy with the good works of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo
In ward A crowder unit, in Lokoja metropoly, sensitive materials arrived at 8am as many were spotted casting their votes.
Some of the electorates who spoke with our correspondent described the election as transparent and peaceful.
They commended the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission, (KOSIEC) for providing a peaceful atmosphere for them to exercise their civic responsibilities.
A voter who identified himself as Sunday Shata said “I’m impressed with the conduct of this Local Government election.
“Although there is low turn out of voters, the most important thing here is that it is peaceful and transparent. Our prayers is that, who ever emerge as the winner of this election should ensure that they develop the grassroot”.
Eseyin Oluwakayode Emmanuel, a
PDP Youth Leader in Kabba Bunu Local Government also praised the process put in place by the State Independent Electoral Commission in today’s election.
The PDP Youth leader described the peaceful conduct of the election as commendable, pointing out that lessons learnt in previous elections has served as a guide put by KOSIEC.
He urged on the opposition party to come out enmass and vote preferred candidates, insisting that the electoral body has justified the confidence reposed on them.
The Youth leader described the massive turnout in the area as an indication that the people want to elect their representatives.
The immediate past Speaker, Kogi State Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon . Mathew Kolawole equally described the Council election in Kabba as peaceful, commended the State Independent Electoral Commission for a good job.
Prince Kolawole expressed optimism that the good works of Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo and his people oriented policies has paved way for the APC, called on the people to continue to support his administration.
He expressed optimism of a clean sweep by the APC in the Saturday’s Local Government Election across the State, particularly in Kabba Bunu LGA.
Speaking also, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, noted that Governor Ododo has upheld his commitment to ensuring a free, fair, and credible election in Kogi State.
Fanwo said this after casting his vote in his hometown, Takete Ide in Mopa/Amuro LGA.
He commended the commission for their outstanding work in training competent ad-hoc staff and ensuring the timely delivery of electoral materials to polling units across the state.
“The KOSIEC has performed exceptionally well,” Hon. Fanwo stated. “Polling materials were delivered as early as 7:30 am, and the polls commenced promptly. This is a testament to their hard work and dedication.”
Fanwo urged the electorate to maintain peace and calm, emphasizing that democracy is about celebrating the fundamental right to vote. With 19 political parties on the ballot, the people are free to choose their preferred party without any coercion. This embodies the true spirit of democracy.
