It's not funny! Nigeria's international image is on the line following another round controversial election marred with irregularities and violence.
The recent Kogi and Bayelsa States governorship elections is yet another example of the sorry state of elections in the country. No matter the cost of sensitizing the public through whatever means and medium possible, elections in the country are hardly peaceful.
There's the general belief that all politicians vying for political offices in the country, have thugs. And according to former INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, when violence and thuggery becomes part of the electoral process, credible leaders won't emerge.
Of the two States where elections were held last Saturday, Kogi in particular, caught the attention of many for different reasons, but most likely due to claims that Yahaya Bello's underwhelming performance in the past four years could see his quest for a second term in office, end in failure unless as usual, the abracadabra of the ruling APC comes into force once again.
As it did expectedly turned out, the State's election was the hot bed of thuggery and violence. National Pivot has recently reported that former Senate president, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, condemned violence and thuggery in Kogi State, calling it "shameful" and condemnable by all, irrespective of political affiliation.
And now, according to Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate, one of the experienced foreign election observations who stepped into Kogi to monitor the election, flee for his life after his encounter with thugs.
Whatever may have ensued from the encounter to have forced the observer to flee the state, is yet unclear.
Sani who disclosed this via his Facebook account said, "One of my British friend who had experience in monitoring elections in Germany, France, Spain and Austria came to Africa for the first time to monitor elections.He was in Kogi yesterday. After three encounters with thugs,he has quickly returned to Abuja, on his way back to London."
Meanwhile Governor Yahaya Bello is coasting home to victory with a wide margin against his two political opponents from the PDP and the SDP.
The PDP in a recent statement, rejected the "fictitious" results being announced by the State's collation officer, alleging brazen vote manipulation in favor of the APC.
