The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has explained that 65,699 uncollected Permanent Voter Cards, 904 ballot boxes, 29 voting cubicles,30 megaphones, 57 election backpacks and eight electric power generators were destroyed as suspected arsonists torched its office in Abeokuta South Local Government, on Thursday.
The National Commissioner and Chairman of n Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye made this known in a press statement obtained by Theliberationnews.
The INEC official explained that the condemnable incident happened at about 1:15 am, when the hoodlums attacked the premises.
In the statement titled, “Attacks On Inec Offices In Abeokuta South Local Government Area Of Ogun State And Ede South Local Government Area Of Osun State,” Okoye explained that “This morning, the Commission received two disturbing reports of attacks on our Local Government offices in Ogun and Osun States.
“The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ogun State, Dr. Niyi Ijalaiye, reported that our office in Abeokuta South Local Government Area was attacked and set ablaze.
“The incident occurred around 1.15am when some unidentified persons overpowered the security personnel on duty and set the entire building ablaze.
“The main building and all the Commission’s movable assets in the office were destroyed. They include 904 ballot boxes, 29 voting cubicles, 30 megaphones, 57 election bags, 8 electric power generators and 65,699 uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).”
Commenting on the Osun incident, Okote said; “Similarly, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke,
reported that our office in Ede South Local Government Area was attacked and set ablaze. The incident occurred in the early hours of this morning when some unidentified persons attacked the building and set a portion of it ablaze.
Fortunately, the damage to our Ede South Local Government was limited to a section of the building and only some furniture items were destroyed.
The attention of the Nigeria Police Force and other security and safety agencies has been drawn to the incidents and they have commenced investigation.”
He expressed worries over attack on the Commission’s offices in Ogun and Osun State noting that both are coming within just 106 days to the general election when the commission had begun depositing election materials in its offices nationwide.
“With just 106 days to the 2023 General Election when the Commission has commenced the movement of materials to our offices nationwide, these simultaneous attacks are very
worrisome indeed.
“Similarly, the rising incidents of attacks on supporters of various political parties since the commencement of campaign barely two months ago and the use of hate and incendiary language by some politicians are extremely disturbing,” he said.
Okoye, however, disclosed that the commission will convene an emergency meeting today to address the issues.
