The Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, and the security agencies have received praise from Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, for the well-run off-season polls in the states of Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi.
The group expressed their appreciation in a statement released on Tuesday by Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, its national president.
According to Okwu, security agencies were able to offer sufficient security both before and during the elections, defying the forecasts of bookmakers.
According to him, “the feeling all over the country was that it was going to be a theatre of blood in the three states. Many people believed that blood would flow freely during the elections.
“However, security agencies were up to their responsibilities, such that no life was lost but for the unfortunate incident during the collation of results in Brass, Bayelsa State. We sympathize with the family of the deceased and urge security agencies to fish out his killers.
“Having said this, we earnestly laud the various security operatives deployed during these elections; though a few of them compromised, a greater percentage of them demonstrated a high sense of neutrality and dedication to duty.
“We also congratulate Governors Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Douye Diri of Bayelsa and Usman Ododo, the governor-elect of Kogi State.
Security Operatives Have Killed Over 20,000 Of Our Members – IPOB
“We, however, urge them to be magnanimous in victory, just as those who lost in the election should accept the hand of fellowship.”
In addition, the Ohanaeze youth president praised Kogi State and the two other states’ voters for acting honourably in contrast to the expectation of a carnage.
He said now that a winner had emerged, “we urge the political actors to respect the will of the masses and join hands with the governor-elect to move the state forward.
“We call on INEC to ignore the call by few persons to cancel the result of the already announced. Those aggrieved with the outcome should seek redress in court.”
Okwu equally hailed the INEC for delivering what he called “a credible election in the three states”.
Follow us on Facebook
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.