Calm in kogi as supplementary election holds

Contrary to expectations of violence, the supplementary election in Kogi State is ongoing without any major hitch.
The supplementary election became necessary after the Independent National Electoral Commission declared the November 21 governorship election inconclusive due to the cancellation of voting in 91 units across 18 Local Governments Areas of the state.
Although the road to the supplementary elections was surrounded by controversy and court cases following the sudden death of the All Progressives Congress’ candidate Abubakar Audu, the election went on as planned by INEC.
In Ajaokuta, voters trooped out as early as 8am for accreditation, which lasted till 1pm when voting started. At the time of filing this report, there had been no major report of violence.
Electoral materials had been moved to Dekina in Dekina Local Government Area, where the incumbent governor, Capt. Wada Idris, is from, under tight security as early 8am.
A total of 17,000 votes had been cancelled in Dekina and on Friday morning suspected hoodlums had burnt INEC’s area office there down, yet there was a large turnout for the election.
Other polling Units where there was impressive turnout were Okpo polling unit in Olamaboro LGA; Angwa polling unit in Ankpa LGA; and Bagana polling unit in Omala LGA, among others.
Generally, the election was held in a calm atmosphere with security personnel at various polling units visited.
Kogi citizens, who were not affected by the cancellation of votes, went about their normal business, particularly in the state capital.
A police helicopter was seen hovering around major cities including Lokoja, the state capital.
When contacted, the Police Public Relation Officer in the state, Mr. Ovye William, said there had been no incidence of violence anywhere in the state.
He said, “I have been in the central control room where we are monitoring every unit concerned and we have not received any report of any violence of any kind.”
He said no arrest had been made in connection with the burning of  the INEC Area office in Dekina, but that investigation is on to track down the hoodlums.