Kogi
CTA tasks security agencies on covert operations to counter vote buying, selling In Kogi Election
By Ishaq Dan-Imam, Lokoja
The Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), has tasked security agencies in Nigeria to carry out covert operations on election day to arrest vote Buyers and Sellers during the November 11 off-season Governorship election in Kogi State.
The Executive Director of CTA, Ms Faith Ossai Nwadishi, stated this in Lokoja on Tuesday, during a stakeholders engagement on preparations for kogi governorship election in November.
Nwadishi, while calling on the election stakeholders and citizens to shun Vote Buying and forms of Voter inducement in Kogi State, says the negative use of money to influence voters choice in election, usurps the will of the people as a form of rigging election through monetary inducement.
Nwadishi, urged the citizens to work harder towards election security in the state amid fears of election violence.
According to the Executive Director of CTA, Mrs Faith Ossai Nwadishi, the Police and partner agencies should increase the synergy with other stakeholders through continuous engagement with the grassroots to ensure maximum protection of citizens on election day.
“Security is a critical aspect of electoral process that requires attention during the entire electoral process and the election management Body (INEC) has recently raised an alarm and fears, indicating that insecurity may pose a great challenge to the governorship election.
“Citizens too have had cause to worry over the issue of insecurity in the state, and if this is unchecked, may discourage citizens from coming out to exercise their franchise on election day,” Nwadishi, said.
Nwadishi says CTA will be glad with the process if the security agencies share important information with other stakeholders especially on the flash points by ensuring that their are properly trained in accordance with the election security personnel (ESP) training manual; the electoral security personnel (ESP) training facilitators Guide; the electoral security (ESP) Handbook and the Basic Security in Election Duty (BaSED) Handbook to ensure professional conduct of security personnel on election duty.
On voters inducement and influence of money in elections, the civil society activist, says the symbolic presence of law enforcement agents at polling units during previous elections, has not deterred ‘Vote Buying.’
“It’s important that a more result-oriented method like covert operations be adopted to curb the negative use of money to influence votes, including the criminal purchases of PVCs by Politicians.
“We advise that citizens shun vote buying and selling, which undermines the election and as such, candidates should campaign based on issues and avoid heating up the polity and creating fears in the hearts of people who want to vote. Also, security agencies should assure the masses of adequate protection within the election periods.”
Election Logistics
The CTA says one of the great challenges faced by INEC on election days is the movement of personnel and materials, adding that, “The delays in the transportation of election materials and personnel has severely hampered operations, leading to delay in commencement of elections, and for this reason that the election commission signed the first MoU with the national union of road transport workers in January, 2015 to ease movement of election materials and personnel on election day.
“We appeal to the road transport workers union in Nigeria to keep an eye on their members to ensure materials and personnel are delivered to designated locations right on time without delays,” CTA implored the executives of the NURTW who handle transportation of election materials and personnel during elections in Nigeria.
A member of CTA advisory board, Prince Babatunde Oluajo, emphasized on the importance of continuous engagement with the grassroots to increase awareness on election transparency, greater political participation, peace building and security. He urged security agencies to be proactive in dealing with the security challenges ahead of the election.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) says it will deploy a total of 12,000 Civil Defense Operatives to man the polling stations in Kogi State, while the Nigeria Immigration Service, says irregular Migrants resident in the state will be prevented from participating in the elections as the irregular migrants are being raided at Ankpa, Dekina, Obajana, Kabba and Ijumu Communities with large number of Foreigners resident in the state.
According to CTA, INEC record shows that the number of registered voters in Kogi state stands at 1,932,654 and a significant number of these voters have collected their PVCs totaling 1,813,741 voters expected to cast their votes across the 239 electoral Wards, and 3,508 polling units in the state.
***As new provost of COE Ankpa visits
The Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, has called on the National Examinations Council (NECO) to develop a standardized template to prevent students from registering with abbreviated names, which often leads to complications in official records.
Prof. Usman made the appeal on Thursday when he received Kogi State NECO Coordinator, Mr. Thaddeus Ajabu, who was on a courtesy visit as part of a sensitization campaign against name abbreviations in examination registrations.
The Rector emphasized that Kogi Polytechnic already enforces a strict no-abbreviation policy, except in cases where an affidavit clarifies the full name. He urged NECO to adopt similar measures, ensuring uniformity across educational institutions and preventing future identity-related issues.
“We have seen cases where students face challenges during NYSC mobilization and job applications because of discrepancies in their names. A well-structured system from NECO will go a long way in solving this problem,” he stated.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Thaddeus Ajabu of NECO reaffirmed that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) now rejects candidates with abbreviated names, making it urgent for students and schools to adhere to proper registration guidelines.
“We are engaging key stakeholders to ensure that students use their full names during registration. This will save them from unnecessary difficulties in the future,” Ajabu added.
Ajabu also used the opportunity to call for financial support for underprivileged students, urging institutions and well-meaning individuals to sponsor students who cannot afford NECO registration fees.
In a related development, the newly appointed Provost of Kogi State College of Education (COE), Ankpa, Dr. Paul Femi Fashagba, also visited Prof. Usman, accompanied by the Commissioners for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Dr. Helen Adeniyi, and Special Duties, Hon. Sunday Faleke.
The visit aimed to introduce Dr. Fashagba to the Rector and seek his mentorship in academic administration.
Dr. Adeniyi noted that Prof. Usman, being an indigene of Ankpa, holds a key leadership role in the academic sector and can offer valuable guidance to the new Provost.
Prof. Usman congratulated Dr. Fashagba on his appointment and urged him to build on the achievements of his predecessor, Dr. M.K. Ibrahim, while improving on existing policies to advance the College.
“Leadership is about continuity and progress. The best way to succeed is to take what works, improve it, and introduce innovations that benefit students and staff,” he advised.
The visit further strengthened inter-institutional collaboration in Kogi State, fostering knowledge-sharing and mutual growth in the education sector.
In a decisive move to curb illegal revenue collection, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has banned the unlawful daily tolls imposed by transport unions across Kogi State’s 21 Local Government Areas.
The governor issued the directive on Wednesday in Lokoja during a strategic meeting with transport union officials, security agencies, and the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS).
Represented by Commissioner of Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, Governor Ododo made it clear that his administration will not tolerate personal or group interests that undermine public welfare.
At the heart of the meeting was the 2017 Kogi State Revenue Harmonization Law, which introduced the Infrastructure Maintenance Levy (IML)—a modest daily contribution by commercial vehicle operators aimed at improving state infrastructure.
However, the governor lamented that certain transport union leaders have hijacked the system, diverting funds for personal gain while imposing unauthorized levies on their members.
“Instead of remitting these funds as stipulated, some union officials have resorted to illegal collections, depriving both their members and the government of much-needed revenue,” Ododo stated.
To restore transparency and accountability, the governor ordered security agencies to enforce compliance immediately, warning that disruptions to public order will not be tolerated. He also reaffirmed that:
Union dues must be collected fairly—monthly, bi-annually, or annually—not as a daily burden on transport operators.
New Infrastructure Maintenance Levy rates have been established through stakeholder consultations to ease the financial strain on motorists while ensuring unions’ interests are considered.
Top government officials including State Security Adviser Cdr Jerry Omodara, Commissioner of Transportation Victor Atuluku, and KGIRS Executive Chairman Alhaji Salihu Sule Enehe have been tasked with implementing the new policy seamlessly.
Governor Ododo’s directive is seen as a bold step toward eliminating extortion in the transport sector while securing sustainable revenue for infrastructural development.
The new policy aims to strike a balance between the interests of the state, transport unions, and the general public, ensuring that Kogi’s roads and transport infrastructure receive the necessary funding without overburdening motorists.
With strict enforcement underway, the era of illegal daily toll collection is officially over in Kogi State.
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
The Kogi State House of Assembly has screened and confirmed Dr. Olufemi Bolarin as the Commissioner for the newly established Ministry of Livestock Development.
His confirmation followed a request from Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, which was deliberated and approved during Tuesday’s plenary session.
During the screening, Minority Leader Hon. Ibikunle Idowu (Yagba-West State Constituency) reminded the House that Dr. Bolarin had previously served as Commissioner for Agriculture and had a strong track record in public service. Citing his grassroots political experience and contributions to the state, lawmakers unanimously agreed that he was a perfect fit for the role.
Speaker Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf commended the screening process and urged Dr. Bolarin to deliver on Governor Ododo’s vision for livestock productivity and development in the state.
Dr. Bolarin’s appointment follows Governor Ododo’s January 10 approval of the Ministry of Livestock Development, aimed at boosting livestock farming, enhancing resilience, and improving food security.
Before his nomination, Dr. Bolarin served as the State Project Coordinator of Kogi Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (Kogi L-PRES). Speaking to journalists, he reaffirmed his commitment to attracting investors and partners to the livestock sector while ensuring sustainable productivity and growth.
A respected scholar, Dr. Bolarin is an Associate Professor with a PhD in Agriculture (Animal Production Extension) from the University of Ilorin. He also holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Agricultural Communication from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
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