Jerry Omodara, the Security Adviser to the Government of Kogi State, has assured citizens and residents of the state of high-level preparation by security agencies ahead of the coming off-cycle gubernatorial election scheduled for November 11.
Omodara disclosed this during a radio discussion programme in Lokoja on Wednesday. The programme, titled “Issues,” hosted the security chief to address likely security concerns as the electorate gears up to decide who occupies the Lugard House after the tenure of the incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello.
The security advisor disclosed that the government of the state is committed to ensuring the safety and security of lives and properties of citizens regardless of political affiliations.
Speaking against the backdrop of a clash that nearly broke out over a campaign venue, Omodara revealed that it was through his intervention and collaboration with the Nigerian Police that the conflict was averted, adding that there were many more interventions his office had made in this electioneering period to uphold peace and safety of all.
He cautioned politicians and their political parties to adhere to the electoral guidelines in carrying out their campaigns, both before and during the election.
According to him, perpetrators of violence in the state must be brought to book as nobody is above the law. Citing the case of a young girl who was killed in Koton Karfe recently, Omodara wondered why perpetrators were yet to be invited for questioning by relevant authorities.
He said it was a clear case of uniformed men accompanying a politician firing shots and killing an innocent girl. The culprits should be invited as, according to him, it was a clear case of homicide.
Omodara called for a warrant of arrest to be issued against the perpetrators. “Where you have 18 political parties contesting and only one is complaining of violence, that party should be investigated by the security agencies, ” he said.
Also on the panel was Dr Hale Gabriel Longpet, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Kogi State, and the representative of the Commissioner of Police, SP Aya, who is the Kogi State Police Command Public Relations Officer.
Dr Longpet assured residents of the state of INEC’s preparedness and its collaboration with security agencies in the state.
SP Aya further stated that all hands are on deck toward ensuring a seamless and violence-free gubernatorial election come November 11.
Omodara commended INEC for the level of engagement and facilitation of capacity-building training for stakeholders in the state and urged voters to go out and vote without fear or intimidation.
