INEC postpones elections in Mopamuro, Kogi | Nairalaw

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on
Saturday postponed the state House of Assembly election across
Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi state.

The Electoral Officer, Mopamuro LGA, Mr Opanachi Ojodale, told
newsmen, at the INEC office in Mopa, that the election was
postponed to Sunday March 10, due to wrong ballot papers that were
taken to the area.

According to Ojodale, the ballot papers belonging to Akpa LGA in
Kogi East, were taken to Mopamuro LGA, development that was
discovered in the early hours of Saturday (election day).

He told newsmen that the new ballot papers for Mopamuro would
arrive the LG office later in the day, from Abuja

Reports have it that INEC’s office in Mopamuro on Friday night
distributed election materials to Registration Area Centres (RACs)
at the ward level across the LGA.

Meanwhile, some youths of Orokere community had earlier on
Saturday conducted a peaceful demonstration to the palace of their
traditional ruler, to protest against the alleged importation of
thugs to their community by suspected opposition party members.

The youths alleged that the thugs were imported by some
politicians in the area to cause mayhem and disrupt the electoral
process.

Mr Segun Peter, the youth leader, who spoke on behalf of the
youths at the palace, urged the monarch to call the politicians to
order so as to forestall a breakdown of law and order during the
elections.

“The thugs threatened to disrupt the electoral process in the
community, and unleash terror on members of opposition parties.

“The thugs also threatened that voters, who have decided not to
vote for their candidates should not bother to come out to
vote.

“We are peace-loving people, our youths are ready to stand firm
and resist any form of intimidation to protect our votes,” Peter
said.

The monarch, Chief Ajayi Mejedi, the Ajugbonjagun of Orokere
land, praised the youths for the peaceful protest and promised to
call the people mentioned to order.

“This election will be different; nobody should foment any form
of trouble before, during, and after the election,” the monarch
warned.

He urged the people to go out and cast their votes peacefully
for the candidates of their choice.