From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kano State, Ambassador Zango Abdu, on Friday, told journalists that all arrangements have been concluded to conduct free, fair and Violent-free elections in Kano state.
Speaking during a Breakfast Parley with Senior Journalists at L and Z Restaurant in Kano, the REC said his desire was to conduct free, fair and credible elections in the state.
The Media Interactive Session was organized by Sports Without Borders Development Association, a non-governmental organization (NGO) , in partnership with INEC.
According to Ambassador Abdu, “I am determined to hold free, fair and credible elections in Kano state. It is doable. I will be very open. We are very accessible.
“You can call me any time, and I will always give you the information you require. We are good to go. We have already done a successful mock accreditation exercise.”
He further stated that INEC in Kano was determined to create a peaceful and conducive atmosphere for the electorate to comfortably and freely vote for candidates of their choice.
He said INEC In Kano has already trained all the supervisors that are required for the election, adding that all sensitive and non-sensitive materials are already on ground.
The Kano REC also informed journalists that all logistics, including transportation of election materials and INEC officials have been put in place.
He said as a co-chairman of Kano State Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), he was optimistic that there will be no security hitches during the elecfions.
According to him, security agencies have been designated to all the 11, 212 polling units across the state, adding that while police will take the lead in manning the polling units, the military will be placed on standby from the rear in case of any eventuality.
The Kano REC further stated that, “let me express my profound appreciation for this breakfast meeting.
“When I came to Kano, I saw the amazing job the media are doing for INEC. Honestly speaking, I appreciate the tremendous job you are doing. You are doing 70 percent of the voters’ education.
“The role of the media is significant to democratic development. As you carry out your duties, you must put the interest of the country first.
“As we enter the election period, it is very important that we become strategic in our reportage. This is a very critical time, and how you handle your reportage will determine free, fair and credible elections.”
The National Coordinator of Sports Without Borders Development Association, Comrade Abdulgafar Oladimeji, said the idea behind the parley was to bring journalists together for strategic discussions with INEC leadership so as to bridge the gap and establish understanding in elections reportage.
The chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kano Council, Comrade Abbas Ibrahim and chairman of Kano NUJ Corrspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Ibrahim Shua’ibu, in their separate remarks, commended the organizers of the breakfast parley and promised to ensure that journalists in the state play their noble roles towards achieving free, fair, peaceful and violent-free elections in Kano state.
