President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been called upon to ensure that the electorates exercise their franchise without any form of intimidation in the Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi states governorship polls holding on the 11th November this year.
The National Chairman of the opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alh Shehu Gabam made this known during the unveiling of the Muri- Sam manifesto and fundraising dinar held yesterday in Abuja.
Recalling the ordeal faced by President Tinubu in the hands of anti-democratic forces over the years, he said it was incumbent on him to ensure that voters in the aforementioned states are allowed to exercise their rights without let or hindrances.
Calling on the national Assembly, the independent national electoral commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure adherence to laid down rules and regulations at the poll, he expressed optimism that the SDP would sweep the November 11 governorship poll in Kogi state.
He noted: “We can assure our teeming supporters that the party will not be left behind. We will be at the forefront of the campaign for the conduct of a free and fair poll . Our democracy needs to be strenghtened because there are those who are bent on taking the system down.
“The votes must count. The era of rigging should be history. Our ability mobilise state. We need a competitive environment. We believe strongly we are the party to beat in Kogi state. The President who happen to be victim of the process of the past should create a decent environment in these three off -season election.
“Whatever happens, the buck stops on his desk. He needs to do the needful by directing security agencies to protect voters to come out and vote without any form of intimidation.”
Senator Wadada Aliyu who chaired the event maintained that acceptability rather than money inducement would determine the outcome of the Kogi state governorship poll.
Recalling how he, alongside seven other national and Nasarawa state Assembly members scaled the the hurdle in the 2023 general elections, he called on the teeming supporters of the SDP not to give in to any form of intimidation by the ruling All progressives Congress (APC) to cast ballots for their preferred choice on election day.
He added: “We.wont be intimidated neither we would be bamboozled by anybody. Election is about the people and whenever the people speak it has to be acceped. We are participating because we owe Kogi state and Nigeria the responsibility to strenghten and deepen democracy.
“We have our experience in Nasarawa state. Election not only confined to money. You can have all money in the world, yet kogites are very much aware of what to do when voting for the candidate of their choice.”
THEGUARDIAN
