President Bola Tinubu has appealed to all candidates participating in the November 11 governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states, as well as the electorate to ensure free and fair elections.
The President made the appeal in Abuja during the presentation of the All Progressives Congress’ flags to the standard-bearers in the upcoming elections.
According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu presented the party flags to Timipre Sylva for Bayelsa State; Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who is seeking a second-term in office, and Ahmed Ododo for Kogi State.
The President expressed optimism about the ruling party’s chances of victory in the off-season elections, noting the hard work and records of the candidates, as well as the collective efforts of party officials, members of the APC National Working Committee, and the APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje.
He said the collective efforts of the party men were factors inspiring his optimism in the forthcoming elections.
“I want to thank the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who is working hard to ensure a handover to our candidate, Ahmed Ododo.”
“We are happy to have Hope Uzodimma, the great hope of our party and chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum. Thank you for the good job you are doing,” Tinubu said.
To the Bayelsa governorship candidate, he stated, “Timipre Sylva, congratulations on what you have achieved as a former governor and former minister.
“We are all facing this crusade for democracy, particularly in this time of elections. It is our hope, and we have Hope Uzodimma as a candidate, that we will always come out victorious.”
Addressing State House Correspondents after the flag presentation, the APC National Chairman, Ganduje, said, “Taking you back memory lane in 1999 when democracy came back to Nigeria, there was a general election which produced the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the governors of the states, but later on, due to litigation and court processes and judgments, a new dimension was created that resulted into off-season elections.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has said electoral violence would not be condoned in the November 11 governorship polls.
The CDS said the military would enforce the presidential directives ordering it to deal decisively with the perpetrators of electoral violence.
A statement on Thursday by the Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Guasu said the CDS spoke during a visit to the Kogi State Government House.
Gusau noted that the CDS assured the Kogi government of the safety of the citizens before, during, and after the election.
In the same vein, the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has ordered a clampdown on troublemakers who may wish to disrupt the elections.
Egbetokun gave the order on Thursday when he convened a crucial meeting with political leaders and other relevant stakeholders in Owerri, to discuss vital election security-related matters.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday said, “The IGP emphasised that the officers deployed for electioneering processes have undergone rigorous training on election monitoring, guaranteeing robust security at polling units, and protecting the fundamental rights of all well-meaning members of the public as part of the NPF’s thrust in upholding democratic principles.
