Concerned Kogi Citizens Forum has petitioned the National Assembly, and called for the replacements of Professors with traditionalists retired soldiers, pastors, and Imams in the conduct of the country’s elections.
The leaders of the group, Isaiah Ijele and Abdullahi Hamza stated this while addressing a press conference on Thursday in Abuja.
The group in a letter dated June 4, 2024 and addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas pointed out that their reason was premised the fact that the have lost hope in Professors conducting elections, adding that the Institutions be changed immediately.
It noted that their protest letter was premised on the November 11, 2023 Kogi State Governorship election where the BVAS technology was allegedly bypassed leading to the emergence of an unpopular candidate.
It added that Kogites felt betrayed that after all the assurances given by INEC that BVAS machines would be used to curb over voting, some INEC officials allegedly compromised and sold Kogi State out.
The Kogi group said it is strongly oppose Professors harming harming the institutions of the country.
It demanded: “That Sections 64 (4) and 7 (2) of The Electoral Act, 2022 which made BVAS mandatory for accreditation during elections be made operational without loopholes to be used for the good of all Nigerians.
“We call for a change to other institutions like Retired Soldiers, Pastors, Imams, Traditionalists, etc to replace Professors during our elections
“We have lost hope in Professors conducting our elections and we demand that the Institutions be changed immediately. Our Professors have let us down
“We further demand that INEC should declare election results from the IREV and only after confirming the exact number of accredited voters on BVAS. We strongly oppose Professors harming our institutions.”