Izuchukwu OkosiThe Independent National Election Commission (INEC) has been warned that their integrity to conduct a credible election devoid of security issues is at stake during the off cycle elections in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa States.
The citizens of the three states will take to the polls on November 11 and Former Director, State Security Service (SSS) Mike Ejiofor, has expressed utmost concerns about the likely flashpoints before, during and after the elections.
Already in Imo state, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) are poised to embark on a strike action which could cause adverse consequences in the ‘Land of Hope’ in little over a week’s time.
“I’m not a pessimist but I’m afraid these three states in the off cycle elections have history of election violence, both political and non political violence,” Ejiofor said in an interview on Channels Television monitored by Prime Business Africa.
“Incidentally, I have a fair knowledge of it. I was a director in Bayelsa. I was in Imo state for six days as principal officer (and) I had my brush in Kogi too so I have fair knowledge of these things.
“So like I said, they have history of election violence and this election will not be different from the trend,” Ejiofor reiterated.
“It has been going on because you can see the pre election violence recorded in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi – that is not to say that is what it is going to be.
Ejiofor then went further to admonish the election arbiter in Nigeria to immerse themselves in serious action to ensure that things do not go south.
“What I believe is that what is worth doing, is worth doing well and INEC as an umpire, if they fail this time, the post election violence is not what anybody can think of.
“My reasons are these: “if you go to Bayelsa for instance, we have major political players like the incumbent governor comes from (Olukoma), and he wants to come back.
“You also have where the former President, Goodluck Jonathan comes from.
“If you come to Imo state, you have the threat of the unknown gunmen and Imo (state) has been in the limelight for the wrong reasons.
“They are in Orlu and also have bases in Ihiala and Nnewi in Anambra state. So there’s also a threat from Anambra so I believe the security agencies should concentrate on other areas apart form the ones that I earlier mentioned,” Ejiofor warned.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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