Kogi State residents are on edge as the upcoming governorship election scheduled for Saturday looms, with memories of the violent 2019 elections still fresh in their minds.
The ballot will feature a total of 18 candidates, including one woman, presenting a diverse array of choices for the electorate.
During the previous governorship election held on November 16, 2019, incidents of violence nearly marred the electoral process.
Thugs brandishing firearms and other dangerous weapons disrupted polling units in Lokoja, the state capital, and various other locations across the state.
In some instances, these armed individuals, some posing as police officers, forcefully expelled voters and electoral officials before stealing ballot boxes.
Tragically, lives were lost, and among the victims was Acheju Abuh, the Women Leader of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship campaign organization.
She was brutally killed when suspected thugs set her house ablaze after dousing it with petrol.
The Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), a civil society organization, accused security agencies of complicity in the violence and voter intimidation during the 2019 election, although the police denied the allegations, attributing the violence to “fake policemen.”
As Kogi State braces for another round of elections, concerns have intensified, particularly following recent skirmishes and a reported loss of life due to violence in the state.
An incident in September resulted in the death of a woman and injuries to several others during a clash between supporters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a campaign rally.
The campaign period has been marked by accusations and counter-accusations between the APC and SDP, both parties blaming each other for inciting violence.
The conflict has primarily centered around the candidacy of Murtala Ajaka from the SDP, hailing from the vote-rich Kogi East Senatorial District, where ethnic and sectional sentiments have influenced the campaigns.
Historical trends have depicted Kogi State as a hotspot for electoral violence.
After the general elections earlier this year, 100 INEC staff and an ad hoc official were abducted, requiring police intervention to rescue them.
The SDP candidate, Ajaka, escaped an assassination attempt and faced multiple attacks, while the APC’s candidate, Ahmed Ododo, experienced attacks on his convoy.
The deep-seated hostilities between the APC and SDP can be traced back to Ajaka’s defection from the APC, leading to intense political rivalry.
Ethnic and regional dynamics also play a crucial role in the state’s politics, with Kogi West Senatorial District yet to produce a governor, Kogi East historically dominating the position until Yahaya Bello’s emergence, and Kogi Central having the fewest local government areas.
Analysts point out the possibility of friction during the elections due to widespread vote-buying practices. With candidates and their supporters engaging in illegal activities to secure votes, conflicts may escalate further.
Despite police assurances and the deployment of over 40,000 personnel for the election, concerns about violence and intimidation persist among voters.
The heavy military presence in Kogi East raises apprehensions, with some residents expressing reluctance to return home and vote due to fears of potential violence.
As Kogi State approaches election day, the atmosphere remains tense, with the hopes of a peaceful and transparent electoral process overshadowed by lingering anxieties from past experiences.
The outcome of Saturday’s election will ultimately reveal whether the measures put in place will be sufficient to create a conducive environment for a free and fair election in the state.
