How
the election were rigged in Kogi
From EMMANUEL ADEYEMI, Lokoja
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
No doubt the just concluded April general elections were
the most tumultuous in the political history of Nigeria. The election was characterised
by unprecedented widespread brigandage, robberies, thuggery, ballot fraud and
large scale rigging.
Although, the INEC chairman, Prof Maurice Iwu has
shortly after the announcement of the presidential elections, given kudos to the
electoral body for a job well done, most Nigerians think otherwise.
Thus, from
the six geo-political entities that comprise Nigeria, it was one story of rigging
to another, and this was not limited to one party.
In Kogi, for example,
all the political parties that contested the election exhibited one form of rigging
or the other; and most of these rigging were carried out by youths who armed themselves
with dangerous weapons such as AK47 rifle, Bazoka, pump action machine guns, dane
guns and cutlasses. Rigging was more rampant during the governorship/house of
Assembly elections.
In most parts of the west senatorial axis in the state,
such as Kabba where two people were killed, and Mopa-muro, Aiyetoro-Gbede, Isanlu,
Egbe, Koton-Karfe, Odo-Ape and so on, there were reported cases of results falsification,
stealing of ballot boxes and intimidation of voters by thugs of opposition parties.
At
the maternity polling booth, in Oke Koko ward in Kabba, a political thug who went
to steal a ballot box met his waterloo when he was crushed by a Peugeot pick up
van which had convey him to the polling station, as he ran unknowingly into the
direction of the moving van while being chased by voters.
Also, in Mopa muro,
Yagba East and Ijumu local government areas, some contestants were conspicuously
seen leading armed thugs to hijack and steal ballot boxes.
But in Odo-ere,
headquarters of Yagba West local government, the thugs perfected their rigging
style, all they did was to lay ambush around the INEC office, hijack ballot boxes
from electoral officers, sneak into a place to thumb print the cards and then
stuff the cards back to the boxes and smuggle them back, perhaps in connivance
with some INEC officials, to their office.
In the central axis, which comprises
of Okene, Okehi, Ajaokuta, Adavi and Ogori-Magongo, it was clearly a no-go area
for the PDP. This axis is traditionally a volatile area and it is the stronghold
of the AC. Daily Sun gathered that even before the governorship and House of Assembly
elections, perceived supporters of the PDP were chased out of town and their houses
set ablaze most of them had to hibernate in Lokoja the Kogi State capital.
Not
even the PDP candidates could risk staying back, the PDP senatorial candidate,
an American based businessman Alhaji Salau Ogembe was most hit; he could not,
in spite of all resources he had spent for the election, stay at home for the
election. He had to run for dear life.
According to police sources, no
fewer than 30 houses were razed down by hoodlums including Ogaminana police station
while nine people were feared killed. Hundreds of people were wounded and displaced.
With
this development, the AC and its supporters had a field day and all but the one
of elections in the zone were won by the AC, candidates.
In the Eastern
senatorial axis, no fewer than seven people including two senior police officers
were killed. In the history of Igala land this is the most bloody election. Armed
youths moved in convoy of cars from one village to another to unleash mayhem carting
away ballot boxes.
In some areas like Dekina Local Government which has
the largest voters strength, and Ofu, parts of Ankpa and Idah, elections did not
take place at all. But figures were just allocated to parties and given to INEC
for announcement.
The AC chairman in the state, Chief Mike Adeleye while
addressing journalists in Lokoja on the outcome of the election alleged that the
thumb printing of ballots papers in those areas were done at the government house,
Lokoja and called for cancellation of the elections.
Also, the ANPP under
the aegies of Kogi West ANPP stakeholders forum, said the letter purported to
have emanated from INEC office Lokoja, signed by one S.I Gabriel which disqualified
Prince Abubakar Audu on the date of election was a fraud, and called for a fresh
governorship election in the state.
But reacting to these allegations, Governor
Ibrahim told journalists that the state had never had a most peaceful free and
fair election like this and described the call for a fresh election as the ranting
of the drowning man whose hope of survival is dimmed.
Meanwhile, police
authorities in Lokoja said over 60 hoodlums have been arrested during the election
with five people arrested in connection with the killing of one DSP Michael Abimeje,
assistant area commander of Idah Area Command. Police Commissioner, Mr Samuel
Adekunle said the suspects would soon be arranged in court. |
