The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties has condemned the Saturday Local Government election in Kogi State, calling it a mockery of Nigeria’s democracy.
The CNPP Chairman in Kogi State, Mohammed Kabir Abdullahi, made this known in a statement on Saturday. He criticized the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission for allegedly misleading the public into believing an election was taking place, insisting that no local government election occurred in the state.
The statement reads in part, “This is the biggest mockery in the 21st century. We thought that our democracy had grown, but, unknown to us, we are 10 steps backward.
“Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission has once again displayed their incompetence regarding the conduct of council polls. The reports we are receiving from the 21 local governments indicate that in more than 90 percent of the wards in Kogi State, no election is taking place.
“The All Progressives Congress in Kogi State has failed the people. They have denied Kogites their civic responsibilities to elect their leaders at the grassroots.
“The government should come out plain and say they want to hand-pick local government chairmen and councilors rather than hiding under the pretense of conducting an election. The action of the present administration in Kogi State is a rape of Nigeria’s democracy and will not be accepted in its entirety.”