By Sabiu Abdullahi
After months of rigorous campaigns and preparations, Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States are set to elect new governors today.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reported that 5,169,692 voters collected their permanent voter cards out of the 5,409,438 registered voters across the three states.
In Bayelsa State, out of the 1,056,862 registered voters, 1,017,613 collected their PVCs, leaving 39,249 PVCs uncollected. Imo State witnessed 2,318,919 collected out of 2,419,922 registered, with 101,003 PVCs still uncollected.
Meanwhile, Kogi State reported 1,833,160 collected PVCs out of 1,932,654 registered, leaving 99,494 uncollected.
Incumbent governors Douye Diri (Bayelsa) and Hope Uzodimma (Imo) seek re-election, while 18 candidates vie for the Kogi State governorship.
In Imo State, the APC’s Hope Uzodimma faces stiff competition from 17 candidates, with Samuel Anyanwu (PDP) and Athan Achonu (Labour Party) emerging as top contenders.
In Bayelsa, Governor Douye Diri (PDP) contends with 15 other candidates, notably Timipre Sylva (APC).
Kogi State sees a race between APC’s Usman Ododo, PDP’s Dino Melaye, SDP’s Muri Ajaka, and ADC’s Leke Abejide, among others.
Despite confidence from incumbent governors, opposition candidates in Imo and Bayelsa assert that the current leadership has performed poorly.
Unfortunately, all three states have witnessed instances of violence resulting in casualties. The police and security agencies assure voters of their safety during the election, emphasizing a commitment to maintaining order and safeguarding the democratic process.
