The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged voters in Kogi to turn out in their large numbers to cast their votes with assurance of adequate for them.
The Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, gave the advice in a statement made available to journalists by the Deputy Director, Press, NOA, Paul Odenyi, on Friday in Lokoja.
The DG urged the voters to come out en mass and vote for candidates of their choice without fear of intimidation or harassment, emphasizing the federal government’s commitment to a secure, free, fair and credible election.
“As voters in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi States elect their governors tomorrow, NOA is urging voters to turn out in their large numbers to cast their votes for candidates of their choice without fear of intimidation or harassment.
“The federal government’s commitment to a secure, free, fair and credible election.
“Participating in the election is a civic duty; voters and residents nust not to succumb to panic or fear,” Issa-Onilu said
He stressed that choosing leaders who would govern the states for the next four years was a vital responsibility, and failure to vote for their preferred candidates could be perceived as disinterest in the development of their states.
He, therefore assured that the federal government has deployed security operatives to safeguard the electoral proceedings and maintain peace.
The director general commended the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for orchestrating robust security measures to ensure a successful election day with minimal risk to lives and property.
He also expressed appreciation for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for their timely deployment of electoral materials to the states.
“Over the past four months, the Agency has been implementing a voter education programme that has spread from the states capitals to local governments and the ward level.
“Our hope is that these enlightenment outreaches have created the much needed condition for massive participation of voters in the election in the three states.
“We have also interacted with the security agencies, INEC officials and civil society in furtherance of our campaign to achieve minimal voter apathy, curb violence, increased understanding of the new electoral act and peaceful environment for the election.” Issa-Onilu said.
He stressed that election should be a peaceful process of leadership recruitment which did not require the show of force.
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