The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says one of its major concerns in the conduct of the November 11 Kogi governorship election is the prevailing security challenge in the state.

Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC chairman, said this when he visited the Kogi Local Government (LGA) office of the commission in Kotonkarfe to monitor mock accreditation in Lokoja on Saturday.

Mr Yakubu said the commission was working with the security agencies to provide a secure environment for peaceful and credible elections.

“Wherever you go in Nigeria, you are sure to see two government offices. One is INEC. You will see an INEC office in the LGA headed by an Electoral Officer (EO). You will also see the police office headed by a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for the local government.

“So, we are everywhere working together. And I’m happy we are working together as we prepare for the elections,“ Mr Yakubu said.

Mr Yakubu advised the electoral officers to follow the standard template for logistics deployment at Registration Area Centres (RACs) and work with security agencies for the election to commence in polling units by 8:30 a.m.

The INEC boss said the local government areas had received non-sensitive materials.

Mr Yakubu added, “We are giving our word to Nigerians that we must open polling units at 8:30 a.m. on the dot. Therefore, you must activate the RACs. If you don’t activate the RACs, we can’t actualise the commencement of the votes at 8:30 a.m.

“You must activate the RACs with security, and I am happy that you are working in partnership with them.”

Speaking earlier, Hassan Musa, the Electoral officer, Kogi Local Government Area (LGA) office, Kotonkarfe, said the preparations for the election were in advanced stages.

Mr Musa said the LG office had already received all the non-sensitive materials and was working with security agencies for a peaceful election.

(NAN)