Group seeks more security presence in Nasarawa for Saturday’s poll

By Emmanuel Mogbede

A pressure group, Concerned Nasarawa State Progressive Stakeholders, has called for more security presence in the state for the March 18 Governorship and Houses of Assembly elections.

The spokesperson for the group, Mr Manga Ugbo, said this at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

He called on the Inspector General of Police (I-G) to deploy more personnel to the state for the election.

“We call on  the I-G and other security agencies to ensure more deployment of security men to Nasarawa state on election duty.

“With a view to ensuring peaceful election in the state during and after the election.

 

”It is important for the election to hold without fear and breakdown of law and order,” he said.

Ugbo stated that some politicians and their supporters in the state had taken their desperation for political power to a worrisome level.

”Some of them want to win election at all costs. They want to indulge in violence, intimidation and vote-buying.

”The electorate need to be protected. Effective security at the polling units will help to boost their confidence,” he said.

The spokesperson urged the electorate to go out and vote their conscience on election day without any form of fear.

”The beauty of democracy is that people should freely choose their leaders. Subverting the will of the people is undemocratic,” he said.

Ugbo urged politicians to avoid religious sentiments in order to promote credibility and fairness in tbe electoral process.

”Nasarawa State is multi-religious and multi-ethnic, the people have co-existed for a long time, this unity should be maintained,” he said.

He urged INEC to play the role of an unbiased umpire during the election in order to allow the will of the people to prevail.

(NAN)