Oladipo Magaji, Ilorin
The Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has condemned the militarization of the Saturday’s governorship and state House of Assembly elections in Kwara State.
Saraki while speaking with newsmen after casting his vote alongside his wife, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, at Ode Opobiyi polling unit 005, Ajikobi ward in Ilorin West local government area of the state blamed the low turn out of voters on the heavy deployment of military and other security operatives for the exercise. He, however, commended the voters for their orderliness and peaceful conduct during the exercise.
It could be recalled that the military and other security operatives had since Thursday engaged in show of force around strategic locations in Ilorin metropolis.
There was also the deployment of a military jet to the state capital.
The Senate President, however, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly use the card readers for the exercise.
A former Minister of National Planning, Professor Abubakar Suleiman Olanrewaju, also joined Saraki in condemning the militarization of the exercise in the state.
Suleiman, while briefing journalists after casting his vote at Ode Opobiyi 005 polling unit, in Ilorin West Local Government, described the process as undemocratic, pointing out that the military were driving away voters.