Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET) has condemned the suspension of five local government chairmen by Kogi State House of Assembly.
KONGONET said Kogi State House of Assembly resolution suspending the elected council chairmen of the third tier of government in the state is unlawful, undemocratic and condemnable, adding that the action is a clear case of direct party meddling in the activities of the state assembly.
The coalition advised Kogi State House of Assembly reverse the suspension forthwith.
This was made known at the first 2023 quarter press briefing by KONGONET addressed by the chairperson, Ambassador Idris Ozovehe Muraina and the assistant secretary, Mrs. Ibiteye A. Bola, in Lokoja on Monday.
Speaking on the security situation in the state, KONGONET decried the recent attacks on Oganenigwu communities in Dekina local government area of the state.
The coalition called on Governor Yahaya Bello to urgently intervene through the state security architecture and return normalcy to Oganenigwu community and ensure the perpetuators of the crisis are brought to book.
They also called on the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Kogi State command, to put in place strategies to combat possible break down of law and order as residents head towards November 2023 gubernatorial election as a matter of urgency.
They added that political party primaries in Kogi state should be properly secured.
“The security atmosphere towards the general elections was averagely tensed, however, the elections has come and gone with less hitches. We appreciate the state security personnel for the successes.
“It is noteworthy that despite the averagely peaceful elections, lives were still lost. We call on the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to investigate cases based on their merits and act accordingly.
“As the apex civil society organizations (CSOs) network in the state, our interest is to ensure that the wellbeing, lives and property of our citizens are protected at all times and we pursue this with vigour.
“The Kogi State gubernatorial election will take place in the coming months, activities heralding the event is already on the way. We call on the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to put in place solid strategies to ensure political party(s) primaries are held under strict security watch and follow through on campaigns to birth peaceful gubernatorial election in Kogi state come November, 2023.
“KONGONET appreciate the engagement of stakeholders by Nigeria Police Force (NPF) towards peaceful electioneering process, this strategy should be sustained,” they said.
The coalition of CSOs urged police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure all cases of electoral violence before and during the 2023 general elections in Kogi state are duly prosecuted.
They commended the action of Miss. Ashlee Momoh for filing for order of mandamus at the high court sitting in Abuja for a case of wilful violation of section 115(1) f, i & j of the Electoral Act, 2022 at Adavi LGA during the just concluded general elections in Kogi state.
KONGONET called on Kogi state government to urgently revive and fund its 32 years development plan (2023-2055), and restore the state-owned water project to improve in water supply within the state capital.
