President Muhammadu Buhari has issued a stern warning against the continued violence ahead of the governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi State.
Elections are billed to hold in the two states on Saturday.
Ahead of the elections which have inspired campaigns for some weeks, a few uninspiring incidents of violence have been recorded.
But in his reaction, the president issued a warned, stressing that law enforcement agencies must do their work.
The electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the president said, should not be partisan.
His words: “I call on voters in Bayelsa and Kogi states to exercise their franchise in a peaceful and orderly manner and in line with the law in all situations. Law enforcement officials must ensure that citizens are allowed to vote without harassment and intimidation and any attempt to steal or hijack ballots must be stopped using all legal means.
“In all democratic elections, there are bound to be winners and losers and the elections in Bayelsa and Kogi will not be different. All candidates should be ready to accept the outcomes and wherever they are dissatisfied, they should follow the due process of the law in seeking redress. There must not be a resort to self-help.”
In the statement issued by his media aide, Mallam Garba Shehu, the president said he wished the two states and their peoples a safe and credible exercise as they vote in “these historic and suspenseful elections.”
