In a recent statement, Alhaji Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Candidate for the upcoming Kogi State Governorship Elections, has reiterated his unwavering confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC Nigeria to ensure a transparently free and fair election scheduled for November 11, 2023.
Addressing a gathering of Party Stakeholders in Abuja over the weekend, Alhaji Ajaka emphasized that he and the party leadership have thoroughly examined the measures implemented by the commission to combat electoral fraud. They are fully satisfied that the will of the electorate will ultimately prevail in the electoral process.
Ajaka expressed concern over what he views as the current Governor Yahaya Bello’s alleged abuse of his official authority, purportedly arming thugs and deploying security agents to create an atmosphere of fear and terror in the state in the lead-up to the elections. He stated that Governor Bello has seemingly abandoned his oath to protect citizens’ lives and property, turning official security personnel into political thugs.
In a surprising turn of events, Alhaji Ajaka recounted an incident involving the pursuit and arrest of a thug by his security operatives. To his astonishment, the individual apprehended in the bush turned out to be a serving Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).
During this incident, Ajaka’s convoy was attacked by armed thugs, but they were repelled by his dedicated security detail. The thugs fled into the bush, while their alleged leader, a fugitive named Friday Makama, escaped. The captured thug subsequently revealed that he was a police officer, detailed to follow the thugs by his superior.
Alhaji Ajaka emphasized his belief that the outgoing governor’s desperation might lead to compromises with corrupt practices, but he stressed the robustness of INEC’s measures against fraud and manipulation. He urged all their supporters to disregard any claims of tampering with BVAS devices, emphasizing their total confidence in INEC’s ability to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
