Kogi government describes guber poll violence as unfortunate

Pledges to compensate victims
Kogi State Executive Council (SEC) has condemned the violence during the November 16 governorship election in the state, describing it as “sad and unfortunate”.

The Director General of Media and Publicity to the Governor, Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed this to newsmen after the council’s meeting yesterday.

According to him, the Council expressed shock at the pockets of violence during the election.

“The State Executive Council has condemned, in strong terms, the pockets of violence which greeted the last governorship election in the state.

“Loss of lives in the struggle for power is mindless and unacceptable.

“The council commended security agencies for their efforts at bringing purveyors and promoters of such violence to book with a view to sending a strong signal to hoodlums that the state government will not accept any threat to the lives of the people of the state.”

He made particular reference to the woman who was burnt in Ochadamu and the man who was stabbed to death, as well as reports of direct attacks on some politically-exposed persons.

He added, “Democracy should be a bloodless celebration of the freedom of the people to choose their leaders, and no one should hide behind loyalty to any political party to perpetrate crime.

“As a government, we will give security agencies every support to track down and prosecute those who hide under politics to perpetrate crime.

“But beyond that, we will compensate families that lost loved ones and property. We know nothing could pay for the life of a human; but as a government, our hearts are with those bereaved families.”

The SEC also passed a resolution giving unflinching support to the National Assembly over its moves to ensure violence-free elections.

“We commend the leadership of the National Assembly over moves to criminalise electoral violence and protect lives during elections. Their action will go a long way in restoring peace at the polls,” he said.

It also deliberated on the 2020 Budget draft as well as resolved to digitalise access to the relevant laws of the state, especially those signed into law under the present administration.