Peaceful election in kogi.

Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly election was largely peaceful in Ankpa, Ijumu, Kabba-Ibunu and Ogori-Magongo Local Government areas of Kogi State although the voters were disappointed by the late arrival of the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission.


At the wards 1 and 2 in Aiyetoro-Gbede, the hometown of Mr. Dino Melayeof the All Progressives Congress, accreditation did not start until around 9am in some of the polling units and 10am in others.

The same was observed in Iyara wards 1 and 2, the homestead of the Peoples Democratic Party senatorial candidate for Kogi West, Senator Smart Adeyemi, as well as in Ankpa Local Government.

Governor Idris Wada was accredited in his polling unit in Ogboya area of Lokoja Local Government at 11am, along with a chieftain of the APC in the state, Alex Kadiri.

Many voters complained about the late arrival of electoral materials, while two of the political parties participating in the election, the APC and PDP, expressed satisfaction on the conduct.

Melaye, who spoke with our correspondent after his accreditation, said the process was peaceful.

“We are satisfied with the way INEC has conducted the election so far and we are grateful to the people for the peaceful manner in which they have conducted themselves. May the people’s choice win,” he said.

Due to the late commencement of accreditation, voting started late in most centres and sorting and counting went late into the evening in most of the centres.

In Asuta 5, Unit 5 in Kabba-Ibunu Local Government, our correspondent observed that voting ended at 5.30pm, while sorting and counting ended at 7:15pm.

One of the voters, Eseyin Victoria, said she was happy with the results she heard at the unit.

“We are happy that our choices are leading here. May they win at the end of the day,” she said.