THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says there has been mobilisation of thugs from within Kogi and Bayelsa states ahead of governorship elections fixed for November 16.

“We are also concerned that thugs have been mobilised from within and outside the States with the aim of either influencing the elections or disrupting the process on behalf of partisan sponsors,” said Mahmood Yakub, INEC chairman on Friday at a meeting with Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) held at INEC Headquarters, Abuja.

Yakubu noted that “There are already warning signals in the two states,” adding that “Both are politically volatile. Elections have been severally disrupted by violence in the past.”

A total of 46 candidates are contesting in the Kogi State election, according to a final list of candidates published by INEC on its official website. There are 90 candidates contesting in the Bayelsa governorship election.

The INEC chairman disclosed that a risk assessment by the Commission has already identified some flash points.

“Our own risk assessment which will be shared with the security agencies at this meeting has identified some flash points,” he said.

“This calls for a robust response before the elections, on Election Day and during the process of collation and declaration of results.”

He emphasised that Nigerians expect that by now the nation has learnt enough lessons from previous elections to ensure a swift security response to the increasing desperation by political actors to disrupt elections and subvert the will of the electorate.

“If that happens, many Nigerians will blame the electoral umpire and the security agencies. We must continue to rise to this challenge,” Yakubu said.

He however expressed optimism in the ability of the security agencies to provide adequate security during the elections.

“We are equally confident that with the sheer number of personnel the security agencies are deploying in the two states, there can be no excuse for the processes to be undermined by anti-democratic elements,” he said.

https://www.icirnigeria.org/governorship-elections-inec-raises-alarm-over-influx-of-thugs-into-kogi-and-bayelsa-states/

Abeg no be them they sponsor the thugs?

Imagine this nonsense in Nigeria. The worst is that this youths called thugs r so stupid as they could be killed during the price n non of the people they r fighting for will even remember them again.. Our politicians need to change, if ure in kogi please watch the elections thru ur window

Bastard Inec want APC to use Army to rig elections. Army sef is kukuma very very useless

Influx of thugs into Kogi State that is the chief breeders of political thuggery in the country doesn't add up.

This is not a news now, after all that's what Buhari want. Buhari has said it and it's all being fulfilled. Blood will surely flow, nothing can stop it. Nigerians will forcibly get sense, if u still believe in this regime then OYO is ur name. Foolish set of people.

Why the love for violence

Show evidence

yeye bello's trade mark, he shipped his goons to ekiti to show Fayose pepper back then, he is back agian


..

INEC be trying to form credible and impartial as if they are not been remotely controlled by the dul**rd.
With or without thugs, INEC will still act like INEC.
Nonsense and thuggery.

Na APC now. Who else hire thugs for election if not the 'All Promise Cancelled' brats.

Na WA ooo..

It is time for political business man to invest.

They will be lodged in hotel and feed them for two weeks.

Balance will be paid after the election to their boss.

If the election go as planned by boss of the boss at the top (investor), he will be getting monthly remuneration for 4years.

I know must of this thugs are brainless youths
politicians will only use and dump them like monthly
pad I pity them. them no deh learn

Do you need a professional logo?... Dm me on whatsapp. Check my designs and my number in the link in my signature. You will be amazed

Lazy Nigerian youths.

Let the best candidate win, the best rigger, the best thuggish party, well the best thing to do now is to reform the electoral act.

The festive season is here again, we ship your goods down to Nigeria from China @ $5/kg cheaper and faster

PDP and thugs - tufiakwa!

Security agencies should deal severely with anyone who disrupt public peace and the electoral process.

Was some billions released to bello some days ago?

The worst Independent body in the whole world is INEC. Full of lies and deceitful! They are the body that kept this country in this mess. She of them!

I blame APC and PDP for this.

Politics in Nigeria is too lucrative! We as a people should look for a way of making politics less attractive and rewarding. Only people who have achieved in their various fields should vie for political positions

to youths of kogi state, ; use your heads well on that day. those people you're fighting for do not have their family members on that battle field. if you die, you die for free.

Just imagine thugs from delta+thugs from port harcourt doing collabor with thugs in bayelsa...lets be factual here,the bayelsa election should attract more FG concentration because it's very obvious how bloody its gona be...But my major lamentation lies on the fact that "WHY OUR YOUTHS NO WOR WISE UP?"

Centcanada:
The worst Independent body in the whole world is INEC. Full of lies and deceitful! They are the body that kept this country in this mess. She of them!

No, they don't.

When thugs are threatening the life of a local INEC official, what do you expect the guy to do?? Be a hero?

You Nigerians need to want and desire free and fair elections. Till then, the thuggery and so on will continue.

Noisemakers, if u have evidence show it rather than making stupid excuses, u have the right not to go ahead with the elections if your body and it's workers feels threatened.
Don't use this as an excuse for your failure to organise a good election

Inec trying to be relevant.