Security agencies in Kogi State and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have intensified collaboration to ensure peaceful, free and credible conduct of the forthcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections.
The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Nasir Kankarfi, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists at the Police Headquarters in Lokoja after an inter-agency security meeting with INEC and other security agencies.
Kankarfi said the meeting was convened to review security arrangements and develop strategies to safeguard the electoral process.
“We are here to deliberate on the security measures to be taken for the coming Presidential and National Assembly elections,” he said.
The Commissioner disclosed that security agencies would soon engage political parties and other stakeholders, urging them to shun violence, inflammatory statements and hate speech before, during and after the elections.
He assured residents that the security agencies would work collectively to guarantee a peaceful, fair and credible electoral process.
Also speaking, the INEC Chairman in Kogi State, Shehu Wahab, said the meeting was aimed at reviewing the Commission’s level of preparedness and strengthening coordination with security agencies.
“I was in a meeting with all heads of security agencies in Kogi to take stock of the preparation of INEC, and to ensure that we collaborate with security agencies,” Wahab said.
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He assured that INEC would provide the necessary electoral materials and personnel while working closely with security agencies to prevent violence and ensure the smooth conduct of the polls.
Wahab also highlighted the role of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in transporting electoral materials to polling units, wards and Local Government Areas across the state.
“We shall ensure that all stakeholders are given their responsibilities, especially the National Union of Road Transport Workers, who are charged with the responsibility of transporting and conveying all electoral materials to various units, wards and Local Government Areas in Kogi State,” he said.
The INEC chairman reiterated the Commission’s commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible election in Kogi State, while calling on all stakeholders to cooperate with the electoral body and security agencies.
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