Lokoja: As the political landscape in Kogi State prepares for a pivotal moment, the stage is set for Saturday’s much-anticipated by-election – with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) – confirming all arrangements, the focus shifts to the candidates and their visions for the future of the region as citizens are eager to make their voices heard in this crucial democratic exercise.
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Kogi, Mr Oliver Agundu, hinted at this in Lokoja on Tuesday.
The by-election is sequel to the death of a former Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Enema Paul, on Dec.14, 2024, after a protracted illness.
Agundu, who spoke through INEC’s Education Officer, Mr Haruna Haliru, said that the commission had held a meeting of the Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
The meeting, he said, was aimed at mapping out plans to secure both the personnel and the materials during and after the election.
“All non-sensitive materials have been deployed to the local government, and we are only waiting for the arrival of the sensitive materials on Wednesday or Thursday.
“We have concluded the training of our supervisory presiding officers (SPOs) who are mainly INEC staff in readiness for the election,” he said.
Agundu stated training had also been done for presiding officers (POs) and assistant presiding officers (APOs) in Anyigba between Aug. 8 and Aug. 10.
According to him, only five candidates from five political parties are contesting for the election.
The REC listed the parties to include: Accord, African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He assured all stakeholders in the constituency of a free, fair, transparent and credible election.
Agundu called on all registered voters in the constituency to come out en masse, conduct themselves in an orderly manner and vote for candidates of their choice.