IGBO socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, yesterday, lauded Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for “successfully conducting off-season elections” in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states.
The group gave the commendation in a statement by its National President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, saying that contrary to predictions by bookmakers, security agencies were able to provide adequate security before and during the elections.
Okwu said: “The feeling all over the country was that it was going to be a theatre of blood in the three states. Many people believed that blood would flow freely during the elections.
“However, security agencies were up to their responsibilities, such that no life was lost, but for the unfortunate incident during the collation of results in Brass, Bayelsa State. We sympathise with the family of the deceased and urge security agencies to fish out his killers.
“In Kogi State, we applaud security agencies because many thought it would be a total battle of the Titans but at the end of the day a winner emerged.”
He urged the political actors in Kogi State to respect the will of the masses and join hands with the governor-elect to move the state forward He also call on INEC to ignore the call by few persons to cancel the election, urging the aggrieved persons to seek redress in court and give peace a chance
MEANWHILE, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), South-East, have appealed to defeated governorship candidates in the last Saturday election to embrace peace and spirit of sportsmanship by congratulating the re-elected Governor, Hope Uzodimma.
Briefing journalists, yesterday, in Owerri, the National Vice Chairman of APC (South-East), Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu, also urged aggrieved candidates to de-escalate issues that could bring crisis to the state.
Arodiogbu, was accompanied by a former ambassador of Nigeria to Congo Brazaville and former chairman of Federal Road Safety Commission, Greg Mbadiwe; a member of the National Campaign Council for Imo State Governorship Election, Senator Emma Anosike; and a member, Henry Okafor, stressed that President, Bola Tinubu, was ready to work with Uzodimma to hook Imo State and other South-East groups to the national politics. The APC chieftain disclosed the determination of the party to capture other states in the South-East region in subsequent elections.
