Loading ...From Msughshima Andrew, Makurdi
As Nigerians go into the 23rdย February Presidential and National Assembly elections, those in Benue state have stated that they are expecting the Independent National Electoral Commissuon, INEC, to conduct a free, fair and credible elections.
The Presidential and National Assembly elections were postponed on the 16th of February, 2019, due to logistics problems.
Speaking to our correspondent in Makurdi, the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for Benue South Senatorial District, Chief Steven Lawani urged INEC to regain the confidence of he people with the conduct of this Saturdays election.
Chief Lawani who expressed the hope that INEC must have taken care of all the logistics problems it had last week and urged them to conduct an election that would be acceptable to all.
“By now, I expect that all the inadequacies that necessitated the postponement of the election on the 16th of February would have been addressed.
“So, I expect a free, fair and credible election that would be acceptable to all”, he said.
Also speaking, a resident in Makurdi, Mr Daniel Nyom told the Next Edition that he expects a peaceful atmosphere and a free and fair process that would encourage everyone to come out and vote.
He however expressed fear over presidential order to deal ruthlessly with ballot box snatchers saying “I expect tomorrow’s election to turn out free and fair but at the same time, the presidential order on anyone who snatches ballot boxes changed my opinion of whether we will really achieve a free and fair election tomorrow.
“For me, he said that to scare Nigerians who are sensitive to fundamental human right especially rights to live. But some people will see it as an excuse provided by the president for killing.
“I’m only scared that security agents who are under the payroll of politicians to rig election will use it as a yardstick to kill innocent Nigerians who attempt to stop them from snatching boxes.
“This is my honest opinion because there have been cases in the past elections where those who snatched ballot boxes were security men and political party observers who attempted to ask questions became victims or accused to be thugs. May God help Nigeria,”he added.
Others, Mr. Fidelis Agyra and Mrs Valentina Chukwu also prayed for a free, fair and violent free election and called on the security agencies to provide everyone with adequate security.
