A Kogi based socio-political group, Igala Youth Leadership Assembly (IYLA) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to sanction its staff found culpable for bias and compromise.
The Convener of the group, Dr Ojoachele Felix stated this while addressing a press conference in Abuja.
He said the forth coming Governorship election in Kogi State could not be deemed free and fair if certain compromised officials were not immediately redeployed and sanctioned accordingly.
Dr Felix accused the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State, Dr Hale Longpet and the Secretary Mr Tanko Suleiman of compromise alleging that they had been found engaging in illegal electoral dealings with State Government officials on several occasions.
The Organisation also alleged that INEC in the State under Dr Longpet and Mr Tanko had turned a blind eye to brazen violations of the electoral act during the National and State Assembly elections, alleging that unverified and controversial elections results were announced.
The Legal Adviser to the organisation, Mr Salifu Oguche had expressed worry that many of its petitions to INEC headquarters on the alleged misconduct of the REC and the INEC Secretary in the state have not been responded to.
Mr Oguche said the organisation may resort to legal parameters if the matter was not resolved immediately.
The group proceeded on a peaceful protest march to INEC Headquarters in Abuja to re-submit its letter to the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmud Yakubu.
The Independent National Electoral Commission is billed to conduct the gubernatorial election in Kogi State in November with candidates of various political parties already elected.
