From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Kogi State Chapter in collaboration with Search for Common Ground has tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to discipline any staff found to have betrayed public trust during the November 16 governorship election.
This was the position of the paper submitted by the State Chairman of NUJ, Alhaji Adeiza Momoh Jimoh to Kogi INEC Resident Electoral Commission, Professor James Apam during Kogi Media Peace Work in Lokoja on Tuesday.
The group paid similar visit to the Kogi state commissioner of police, CP Hakeem Busari to intimate him on the need for his men to be adequately deployed for the conduct of the election.
Kogi Media Peace Day was implemented by the Nigerian Union of Journalists Kogi State Chapter in partnership with Search for Common Ground and it was aimed at electoral violence mitigation for the November 16 off cycle governorship election in the state.
The Chairman who was represented by the Secretary of the union, Alhaji Ademu Seidu noted that they were in INEC office because the commission is responsible for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections for Sustainable democracy in Nigeria.
He noted that they have come to asked that the leadership of INEC function Independently, free from external control and influence.
According to the union, INEC should display openers and transparency in all their activities and in it’s relationship with all stakeholders.
” We charged INEC staff and ad-hoc staff to be professional and neutral in the discharged of their responsibility before, during and after the election day.
“They should be sincere in handling election results at all level, returning and declaring the right Candidates or winners of the elections by respecting people’s choices,” they pleaded.
The NUJ Chairman opined that the relevant stakeholders should ensure that they all abide by codes of conduct and ethnics of the exercise as enshrined in the electoral acts 2015 as amended.
In his response, the INEC Resident Electoral Commission in kogi state, said that the commission was prepared to conduct free, fair and credible election in the state.
He called on political actors and their supporters to play by the rules, noting that they have been assured by security agents of adequate security before, during and after the election.
Similarly, the kogi state commissioner of police, CP Hakeem Busari said that his men have been briefed and ready for the election.
He warned trouble makers to stay away from election venues, saying that his men will deal with anyone who attempt to disrupt the process.
