Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has credited the peaceful conduct of Saturday’s local government elections to adequate security arrangements put in place by his administration.
Ododo made the remarks after casting his vote at his country home in Ukpogoro, Okene Local Government Area. He described security as essential to sustainable development, stressing that no society could thrive without the protection of lives and property.
The governor expressed optimism that the exercise would remain peaceful across the state and urged security agencies to stay vigilant before, during and after the polls.
Voters Turn Out as Security Personnel Monitor Polls
Reports from across Kogi indicated that voting proceeded largely peacefully, with voters turning out to elect their local government representatives.
Officials of the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) and election materials reportedly arrived at several polling units from about 8 a.m.
In Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area, voters turned out in significant numbers, while police officers and vigilante members were deployed to maintain order.
All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship candidate for the area, Ezekiel Sunday Osiako, described the exercise as orderly and peaceful after voting at Oshobane Ward.
Osiako commended voters for participating in the election and praised Ododo and KOSIEC for what he described as efforts to provide a level playing field for candidates. He also urged voters to remain calm until the conclusion of the exercise.
Officials Commend Electoral Preparations
Ebenezer Adurodija, a technical assistant at the Kogi State Ministry of Information and Communications, also praised the electoral process after voting at Eni Ward.
He commended the governor and KOSIEC, citing the early arrival of electoral officials and voting materials as evidence of the commission’s preparedness.
Similarly, the APC chairman in Okehi Local Government Area commended the electoral commission for providing what he described as a fair environment for political parties.
Speaking at his ward in Okaito/Usugwe, he also praised Ododo, local government Auditor-General Alhaji Siyaka Yakubu Adabenege, and security agencies for their roles in maintaining peace during the election.
The largely peaceful conduct reported across the state highlighted the importance of security deployment, timely distribution of electoral materials and voter cooperation in facilitating local government elections.
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