The United Progressive Political Parties has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for conducting what it described as a transparent and credible governorship election in Kogi State.

The Chairman of the group, Alhaji Idirisu Bala, said this when he addressed a press conference in Lokoja.

Mr Bala said that the briefing was endorsed by 10 out of the 18 political parties that participated in the poll.

He congratulated the candidate of All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, for his victory at the poll.

He stated, “The UPPP is made up of progressive political parties in the state that believe in progressivism, whose aims and objectives are to see Kogi agenda thrive in respective political party affiliation. We are using this medium to congratulate INEC for painstakingly following the processes of conducting the most freest, credible and transparent election in Kogi State since 1999.

“This election is substantially in compliance with the electoral laws, and the electoral umpires followed the electoral guidelines as amended. This election is unequivocally devoid of any iota of sentiments, agenda setting or ethnicity, INEC announced the result after due diligent collation of results from all local government areas of Kogi,” he said.

Mr Bala added “We make bold to say that this election is free, fair and credible and therefore acceptable to us.”

He appealed to Ododo to be magnanimous in victory by demonstrating the policy of inclusive governance which he said was exemplified by President Bola Tinubu.

Bala commended Governor Yahaya Bello for what he termed his dexterity, and doggedness for providing leadership in all ramifications, saying posterity would not forget him.

He praised security agencies for standing tall in their assignment for their neutrality and providing adequate security for the people to exercise their civic duty without any intimidation.

He urged stakeholders that participated in the poll to show restraints for the peace of Kogi. He stated, “Without peace, there’s no development.”

He urged Ododo to build on uniting the state to ensure that the three senatorial districts were treated fairly without any iota of sentiments.

(NAN)