The entire building of the newly renovated Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was burnt down by hoodlums on Sunday night.
This was announced by the National Commissioner and Chairman for Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye.
This happens to be the second attack against INEC asset in recent weeks, following the attack in Awka Ibom.
Festus declared, that, “The commission met today, Monday, 10th May, 2021, and discussed a wide range of issues including a disturbing report from Abia state. The Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, Joseph Doh, reported that INEC recently renovated office in Ohafia Local Government Area had been set ablaze.
“The incident occurred late on Sunday night, 9th May 2021.The are no casualties on the part of our staff on guard duty, but the building was virtually destroyed, Apart from furniture items, all electoral materials and office equipment were destroyed.
” The matter has been reported to the Poland ce for investigation.
” It will be recalled, that only last week, the Commissioner reported an attack on its office in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Awka Ibom state, and expressed anxiety about the impact of such attacks on electoral activities, including the ongoing expansion of voter access to polling units, resumption of the Continuous Water Registration, (CVR), pending bye elections, end of tenure elections and ultimately the 2023 general elections.
According to Festus, recently the attacks on INEC facilities in the state, is now frequent, the INEC LGA office in Aba South was attacked, December 13, 2020, and razed. While that of Arochukwu LGA was vandalized and ransacked in October 2020.
“These facilities are national assets, which must be protected accordingly, the Commission is convening an emergency meeting of the Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) next week to discuss this disturbing trend.
“Meanwhile, the Commission wishes to reassure Nigerians that all activities in relation to the ongoing expansions of Voter access to polling units and preparation for the resumption of CVR as well as scheduled elections will proceeds as planned.”
Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News
