Jega Warns Politicians against Violence

Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has warned desperate politicians against violence in Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections.

Jega, who made the call Thursday in Makurdi during an interactive session of stakeholders and INEC ahead of the elections, expressed concern over the burning down of INEC offices and materials in Konshisha and Logo local government areas or Benue State.

He lamented that despite the efforts made by the commission to give Nigerians credible free and fair elections, some detractors were bent on sabotaging its efforts.

He noted that INEC recorded success during the March 28 presidential and National Assembly elections which were appreciated by Nigerians and the international community.

Jega warned desperate politicians the days when politicians would highjack electoral materials and thumb print same in their favour.

He disclosed that INEC was ready to deal decisively with any of its official found to compromise the standard of the commission.

A former senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue South Senatorial District, General Lawrence Onoja, accused police personnel of creating an enabling environment for desperate political leaders in position of authority and their militia to intimidate opponents with impunity.

Onoja cited two incidents in Oturkpo, where arms were stocked with the full knowledge of the police and yet no arrest was made by the police even as concerned individuals reported the case to them.

On his part, Senator Barnabas Gemade, representing Benue North East, called on INEC to ensure that the card readers “no longer fail, so as to give Nigerians credible, free and fair elections.