Action Peace Plan in Igalaland (APPI) has raised the alarm over plans to rig the 2023 general elections in Kogi State through manipulation and violence.

The group’s spokesman, Arome Benjamin, in a statement, yesterday, alleged that key aspirants in Kogi East senatorial zone were being targeted for elimination ahead of the 2023 general elections. He linked key figures across the 21 local councils of the state to the plan.

Coming days after the presidential aspirant of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, was reportedly stoned in the state, Benjamin said the spread of NNPP in the state, especially Ankpa, Omala, Dekina, Idah and Ofu had been giving politicians sleepless nights.

According to him, since Kwankwaso’s visit, several killings have taken place in many of the local councils in Igala, allegedly masterminded by some political figures called coordinators.

He accused some government appointees and local council chairmen of working against Governor Yahaya Bello’s laudable achievements in areas of security and peace in the entire state.

“Our dear governor has done well in terms of security in the state. Let us give that to Bello. He has secured our state, but his own very appointees are working against him for political reasons, which itself is unfortunate.

“I plead with His Excellency to caution his cabinet members and local council chairmen to desist from heating up the polity in order not to allow bandits to infiltrate the state,” Benjamin said.

He also appealed to well-meaning Kogites to call state government appointees to order, as the era of rigging elections via manipulation and violence is over with the new electoral laws.