M’Belt coalition, APM validate Ododo’s election

Coalition of Middle Belt Groups has said the position of Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and other political parties validated the electoral victory of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Ahmed Ododo.

It cited the decision of APM not to go to court to contest the election result.

Convener of the coalition, Dr Omale Amedu, who was also the deputy governorship candidate of APM during the election, rubbished reports trying to discredit the exercise, saying the result was an expression of the people’s wishes.

He said: “The gubernatorial election in Kogi came with its challenges. However, this does not lend credence to the insinuations that it was not credible. This position canvassed by some interested parties is not a reflection of reality, and we wish to state in unequivocal terms that the election was indeed free, fair and credible.

“This is because there is nowhere in the world where an election can be rated 100 per cent (perfect). Advanced democracies in the world still experience glitches during elections, so long the ratio of the glitch is negligible. The case of the gubernatorial election in Kogi can be regarded as free, fair and credible.”

The coalition, therefore, charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to continue to improve its facilities to accommodate the dynamics inherent in conducting elections and managing the outcomes.

He added: “The case of Kogi remains commendable. Despite the issues, INEC officials were up and doing. They ensured the process was credible. We believe that INEC will improve its operations using the Kogi elections as template.

“The Coalition of Middle Belt groups is using this medium to call on all relevant stakeholders in Kogi to rally round the governor-elect towards achieving sustainable development.”