By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
GOVERNOR Yahaya Bello of Kogi State on Saturday commended to he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over timely deployment of all electoral materials within the time stipulated and peaceful conduct.
Bello who gave the commendation after casting his vote along with his family members at Okene-Eba/Agassa Attache, Open Space Polling Unit 11 at about 9:23 am said the conduct so far, was fantastic.
“We have all come out in numbers to cast our votes. I have just cast my vote along with my family members and others are casting their votes. It is timely. All materials were deployed within the time stipulated.
“And so far I haven’t seen a complaint from any quota. The conduct of INEC so far has been so fantastic. All the security agencies have conducted themselves so far very professionally.
Citizens that are exercising their franchise are doing that freely. There are no hitches, no rancour. We are united and we are happy over this exercise. And by the special grace of God we are going to come off very triumphant in this particular exercise.
On possible outbreak of violence at the later of the day, Bello dispelled any possibility of violence saying that reports of electoral violence in Kogi State in his time was a media creation by media personnel that are not on ground here in the State.
‘Go into history, go into records and compare my own regime and that of the previous ones.
“You will discover that in the regime of Governor Yahaya Bello, conduct of elections have been the freest, the most free, fair credible and violent free elections.
“So the issue of violence in our election in Kogi State is a media creation and figment of imagination of all those who do not want good things to happen here in Kogi State.
“By the glory of God you are seeing the atmosphere very tranquil, very very peaceful very very in harmonious relationship. So there is nothing like violence here.
The Governor noted that the conduct of free, fair and credible election however, is in the hands of both security agencies and the citizens.
“We the citizens have conducted ourselves very orderly very very cordially. The INEC are doing their job very very well and the security agencies are equally assisting.
Speaking on the general security in the state, the Governor said that the Supreme Court of the land exonerated him that “those who are mentioning me or aligning me or associating me with violence can not substantiate it.
“Because I am peaceful, I am a peace-loving citizen and a governor. You can see that issues of security have been tackled effectively here in Kogi State like never before.
“You know how it used to be people travelling from South to the North from North to the South and people sleeping with one eye opened in the past now they sleep with their two eyes closed.
“Issue of kidnapping, ISWAP, Boko Haram and other extreme groups have been decimated and they are no longer existing in Kogi State. That is the effort of this administration or of my own administration.
Bello expressed optimism that the next administration in the state, would continue to build on his legacies.
“And I know very well, you know where my heart is and you know where the citizens hearts are and we are going to come up very triumphantly”, he said.
The Governor however urged the people and the mainstream media not to listen to social Media to publish unconfirmed election results urging them to always wait for INEC to confirm results before rushing to the press.
“I want to assure all of you that I am bequeathing this state better than I met it”, Bello assured. (Ends)