‘For safety of judges’ — Igala group calls for relocation of Kogi election tribunal to Abuja

The Uk’Omu Igala Organisation, a national socio-cultural group in Kogi east senatorial district, has called for the relocation of the state governorship election petition tribunal to Abuja.

In a statement on Tuesday, David Abutu, national leader of the organisation, expressed concern over the safety of the tribunal following recent attacks targeted at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in the state.

After the governorship election in Kogi on November 11, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) alleged there was a plot to burn down the INEC office in the state.

Recently, a mob invaded the INEC headquarters in Lokoja, the state capital and prevented political parties from reviewing the electoral materials and documents.

A similar incident occurred last week when some gunmen attacked the residence of Gabriel Longpet, the INEC resident electoral commissioner (REC) in Kogi.

Abutu said all attacks on the electoral commission were attempts to “frustrate the assignment of the tribunal”.

“We have observed with dismay the shameless and callous lawlessness taking place in Lokoja, Kogi state, calculated at frustrating the assignment of the tribunal set up to hear petitions against the Kogi State Governorship Election that took place on November 11, 2023,” the statement reads.

“After making mockery of our democracy by compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Electoral Officers to accept and announce fraudulent election results.”

The Igala national leader called on Lateef Fagbemi,  attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, to relocate the tribunal to Abuja for safety.

“Security agencies should provide protection for the electoral materials and ensure they are not damaged before the Kogi state governorship election Tribunal sits to examine them,” he added.

“The inspector general of police should intervene in the lawlessness that is ongoing in Kogi state, by calling the commissioner of police in the state to order and ensure a thorough investigation into the criminal activities of thugs loyal to governor Bello.