Kaduna LG Polls: Gov el-Rufai Vows To Prosecute Offenders
BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – The Kaduna State government has vowed to prosecute individuals and institutions that abused due process in the just-concluded local government election in the state.
Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai, who gave the assurance in a statement in Kaduna, said his administration is determined to investigate and prosecute all those indicted for compromising the exercise.
He said in taking any legal action, the culprits, including those political forces that tried to sabotage the process and make it tainted and unfair, will be called upon to answer for their alleged crimes.
“In a state that suffered painful post-election violence in 2011, we cannot condone such recklessness or neglect to undertake vigorous prosecution”, the Governor said
Mallam el-Rufai however praised the people for the peaceful and orderly conduct of May 12 polls, noting that the people deserve commendation for their maturity in enthroning democratic rule at the local government despite all odds.
In a statement issued after the local government polls, Governor el-Rufai said though there were issues in a few locations, “It is my privilege today to thank the people of Kaduna State for the peaceful and orderly conduct of the local government elections across the state. Although issues arose in a few places, the people deserve our gratitude for the maturity with which they participated in enthroning Democratic rule at the local level.
“At considerable cost, the Kaduna State government invested in Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) to promote electoral integrity and transparency. It appeared the logical next step following the game-changing introduction of the smart card reader by INEC for the 2015 elections. But these costs are actually savings since the machines can be used for several elections, while avoiding the cost of printing secure ballot papers.”
He stated that; “despite apprehension by some political experts, we never doubted that our people will embrace electronic voting. Voters have acknowledged the successful operation of the Electronic Voting Machine, with its user-friendly interface and quick voting process.
“On 12 May 2018, the people of Kaduna State heralded a new chapter in elections in Nigeria, using electronic voting, and a government that was determined to respect the outcome.
“The people of Kaduna State can congratulate themselves that they have, in practice, conclusively made the argument for the country as a whole to fully automate the voting process. Following the successful performance of the machines, Kaduna State is prepared to make its Electronic Voting Machines available to any state government that wishes to embrace electronic voting, on terms to be agreed.”
He also said the councils’ elections have demonstrated that the APC government of Kaduna State stands resolutely for free and fair elections, adding; “We have placed the credibility and integrity of the electoral process above the discredited practice of previous governments that sought to win every contested seat, and by all means.
“Almost three years after we took office, we faced local elections with absolute commitment to fairness, and a willingness to accept the outcome.
“We accepted the challenge to put our record of service after almost three years in office to the test. In fact, the local government elections were construed as a referendum on the performance of our government. Tales were being told by an entitled, but frustrated, elite that our people would punish us at the polls for taking consequential decisions in favour of ordinary people. The people have spoken, and their views resoundingly denounce the selfish claims of political merchants.”
