Despite the spate of attacks on its offices across the country, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed that the 2023 general election will go on as scheduled.
At least 50 offices of the Commission across 21 states have been attacked by hoodlums in recent times thereby creating concerns in some quarters.
However, speaking on Channels Television’s Roadmap 2023, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Committee on Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Festus Okoye, confirmed that sensitive materials to be deployed for next year’s polls were not in the facilities recently attacked.
“I just want to assure the nation that our sensitive materials are not in any of these places where these attacks have occurred.“
“We have secured the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and other sensitive materials that will be used in the conduct of this election. Those materials are not in any of these facilities that are being attacked,” he said.
Speaking further, Okoye asserted that the electoral umpire is working assiduously and closely with various security agencies to forestall recurrence of attacks on its facilities.
Okoye said security has been beefed up in INEC offices across the 36 states of the federation and in the Federal Capital Territory, noting that security agencies are also manning strategic INEC offices in local councils in the states.
He explained that the commission would replace damaged equipment, following the attacks, as soon as possible.
Okoye was however worried that should the attacks continue, it would affect the planning of the Commission. In his words, “As we move closer to the election, if these attacks persist, it may be difficult for us to replace some of the materials that have been damaged.“
“That is why we want to get these offices secured and prevent some of these attacks. This commission is resolved and determined to proceed with electoral business because that is what the Nigerian people want and expect us to do.”
The reaffirmation by Okoye is a fallout of the attack at Oru West Council, Imo State yesterday which affected the conference room where office furniture and fittings were destroyed.
There have been speculations that the attacks in the South East and the South South regions are masterminded by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). However, the group has consistently denied any involvement, ValidViewNetwork reports.
