SDP Wants Tinubu To Ensure Transparent Elections

By Georgina Humphrey

Ahead of the November 11 off Season election in Kogi State, National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to rise to the occasion and allow transparent election by deploying security personnel to protect electorates.

National Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Shehu-Musa Gabam made the plea while briefing newsmen at the party’s Headquarters in Abuja.

Gabam urged President Tinubu not to interfere in the election process by allowing the rule of Law to take its full course.

“This election is possible if the President Wants to conduct a free and fair election, to ensure that the environment is conducive, if the environment is not conducive, INEC, cannot deploy materials and it is not INEC’s duty to deploy security” he added.

The party Chairman who said the level of electoral violence in the state was unacceptable charged President Tinubu to address it adding that it is a litmus test for the president in other forthcoming off season elections.

“We should not create chaos, If we allow the violence in Kogi to continue, we will pay for it , I am sorry, I want to appeal to the President, this is the first task, the biggest for him to prove himself as a democrat, we have suffered tremendous loss in Kogi, our offices burnt, property destroyed, women leader burnt to ashes, our party has experienced series of attacks” Alhaji Gabam stressed.

“Tinubu should deplore effective security personnel to secure and protect lives during and after the election. We need rule of law in Kogi.The level of violence in Kogi State is unacceptable, I don’t know the miracle INEC can do”.

If the President cannot address it, then I am sorry I don’t know how he will do other off Season elections, it is a litmus test. Those who will ensure that people are protected are the executives” the Chairman stated.

Alhaji Gabam who called on security personnel to be professional in the discharge of their duties without bias or compromise urged party supporters to protect and defend their votes, declaring that SDP will be victorious despite the spate of attacks against the party in the state.

“SDP will win Kogi despite Violence. Protect and defend your votes. Stand by your votes, vote and wait” he emphasized.

Gabam who stated that Nigeria’s democracy is under threat condemned the crisis in Rivers state where Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyeson Wike and his loyalists are plotting to impeach Gov Similaye Fubara, noting that the era of impunity and recklessness is over.

” We must live by example, protect the sanctity of the process. The era of elected people being tyrants is gone”.

Edited By Grace Namiji