SDP condemns Kogi gov’t’s planned LG election, despite flooding, court order

The National Working Committee of the Social Democratic Party, SDP has condemned the Kogi State Government for going ahead with Saturday’s Local Government Council election despite flood challenge and Court order.

A statement issued on Friday by the National Secretary of the party, Dr Olu Agunloye and made available to Newspot in Abuja, urged the government to avoid escalation of catastrophe at this precarious time.

The statement said Kogi State should acknowledge that the entire Nigeria is in a hunger crisis and Kogi State itself is submerged under heavy floods and man-made predatory governance.

Going ahead with the Local Government Council election, the party insisted that constitutes impunity and recklessness of the Government of Kogi State, even as over 180 communities are submerged in flood and cannot cast vote.

The statement read: “At this precarious moment when tension is high in Nigeria arising from widespread inflations, hunger and social insecurity, all traceable to bad governance engendered by those trusted with political power.

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“This is more so as this recklessness and unlawful actions in Kogi are coming when over 180 towns and communities in the state are submerged in severe flood and the remainder of the State, with exception of Kogi Government House, is submerged in hunger.”

SDP described as predatory governance and irresponsive style by the present Kogi administration by forcing the election down the throat of the people.

The party called on the State-controlled electoral commission to immediately call off the election in line with the court order till such a convenient time.

“The Kogi State Government, through its Electoral Commission, is inflicting heavy damages on the fragile state of Nigeria as well as the Federal Constitution in a reckless way.

“It is sad and painful. This is more so when the embattled Nigerian leadership under the All Progressives Congress (APC) is struggling with economic policies and programmes for survival, attempting to calm down restive youths and combating the debilitating insecurity crisis caused by bandits on our farmlands, highways and in Government offices.

“Kogi State Government actors have once again signalled to Nigeria that they are no more than insensitive and unresponsive despots bent on continuing to perpetuate impunity, recklessness, and predatory governance against the people of the State as evident from the actions of their electoral commission.

“Take for instance, the following catalogue of recklessness by the Kogi State electoral commission: Planning and hatching a Local Government election which is not in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

“Disregarding ongoing court case at the Federal High Court in respect of the same LG elections, blatantly tampering with the legitimate list of SDP candidates for the LG election duly signed by the National Secretariat and delivered to the Commission.

Taking over the constitutional duties of the National Working Committee, NWC of the Social Democratic Party to unilaterally decide on the authentication and functions of officers of SDP.

“Promoting state actors and non-state actors to prepare and process an unlawful sham of LG election down the throats of the people of Kogi State.

“We have noted that Kogi State Actors, by their actions, have glaringly exhibited a very poor image in their operation and tactics of handling and implementing the activities of the state electoral commission.

“Thus giving credence to those who have been insisting that State-owned election bodies should be scrapped and replaced by the National Assembly with a truly impartial and independent body to conduct the LG elections.

“We have also noted and are particularly disappointed and disgusted with the tenacity with which the Government of Kogi State and its Commission have clung on to the charade of an LG election which is illegal and unlawful.”