Wale Ibrahim, Lokoja
Ahead of the forthcoming general elections in Kogi State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed to traditional rulers in State to prevail on their subjects to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to enable them participate in the 2019 electoral process.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. James Apam, said this while speaking at an interactive session with traditional rulers at Reverton Hotel in Lokoja, on Tuesday.
He stated that a total of 1, 646,452 have registered ahead of 2019 general elections in the state.
Apam explained that a total of 261,917 PVCs were yet to be collected by eligible voters, saying that the figure included those that had registered since 2015 general elections.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner called on those who have not collected their PVCs to do so now before election, urging the traditional rulers to Prevails on their subjects.
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He explained that with help of traditional rulers , the issues of violence that always accompany elections would be reduced to the barest minimum, while expressing fears over the use of foul languages, hate speeches and physical attack that has characterised the electioneering campaigns in the state.
He stated that INEC on its part was ready for the Herculean task, noting that the commission has done enough to conduct free and fair elections.
President of Kogi State Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty Dr. Michael Ameh Oboni, commended the INEC for another political roadmap towards successful electoral process.
The royal father contended that the INEC has saddled the traditional rulers with a difficult task, noting that the traditional rulers are apolitical and hence could do little or nothing in politics.
He pointed out that it is incumbent of the politicians to seek advice from time to time, admonishing the electorate to vote for the candidate of their choice.
He advised INEC that electoral malpractices must be checked, calling on politicians to remember that election is just four years and that traditional rulers would continue to drum to the hearing of the people that everyone would continue to live together after the election and there should avoid violence.
He urged all political parties to try as much as they could to educate their members and electorate as well.
The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, who also spoke, stated that it was a difficult task for traditional rulers to tell politicians the bitter the truth because they have not recognised traditional institutions’ fatherly role in the society.
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Also lending his voice, the Obaro of Kabba, pointed out that the government has a long way to go by providing adequate security, noting that Kabba and its environs had less 40 policemen for security purposes.
He lamented that should there be violence in these areas, the available police could not contain it.
In his remarks, the state’s Director National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mohammed Abdullahi, noted that NOA is highly prepared for the 2019 general elections.
Abdullahi said that NOA would continue to partner with INEC to sensitise the electorate.
