Kogi 2023: Spate Of Violent Political Killings, Worrisome

A Chieftain of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State, Hon. Ben Adaji, says the spate of violent killings and threat to lives and property in Kogi State would not guarantee any free and fair election.
Adaji therefore called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to as a matter of urgency and utmost necessity and for the security of lives and property, declare a State of Emergency in Kogi State ahead of the November 11, Governorship election.
He said the State of Emergency would pave way for free and fair polls in the state, stressing that the present situation in Kogi would militate against credible election if urgent security measures are not taken by the government.
Adaji, who stated these in Jalingo shortly on arrival from campaign tour of Kogi on Monday, October 16, 2023. Further said that a situation where candidates of opposition political parties cannot move freely to campaign due to fear of being attacked and assassinated cannot guarantee for free and fair polls.
He further said the spate of political killings taking place in Kogi, especially the Eastern part of the State, calls for urgent concern, adding that a good number of party chieftains working for the SDP governorship candidate, Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka have been pencilled down for elimination.
Adaji, who was the House of Representatives candidate of the SDP for Ankpa, Olamaboro and Omala federal constituency, said it is time for President Tinubu to act fast in order to save the citizens from brutal murder.
Adaji said; “There is no way INEC can guarantee the people of Kogi State free and fair elections under the present security threat. We are aware of plans by the ruling APC to deploy armed thugs to all polling units in Kogi East to disrupt elections and to scare people away from voting.
“Before I left Ankpa yesterday, several people have warned me to stay clear of Kogi State and that a particular Local Government Council chairman had sent people to warn me and threatened to deal with me.”
“Let me therefore, send this appeal to the president to declare State of emergency so that even if I am killed during the election, it will be on record that I raised the alarm.
“It is unfortunate that a sitting as well as the outgoing governor has taken the election as a do or die affair and so Kogi is not safe for the coming election,” he said.