More assets of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) came under attack in Imo, Anambra and Enugu states yesterday.
The Commission’s office in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area (LGA) in Imo, the state headquarters in Awka, Anambra capital and Igboeze South LGA office in Enugu were burnt.
INEC, in a statement by National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, described the escalating attacks as a national emergency.
The commission held an emergency yesterday over the unabating onslaught.
Okoye stated: “In the latest incidents, three offices of the Commission came under attack in Anambra, Imo and Enugu States.
“The resident electoral commissioners for Anambra Dr Nkwachukwu Orji; his Imo counterpart Prof Francis Ezeonu and that of Enugu Emeka Ononamadu have reported that the attacks took place at various times on the night of Sunday, 23rd May 2021.
“The state headquarters in Awka was set ablaze in the most devastating onslaught on the Commission’s facilities so far. The attackers were systematic and selective in their targets.
“The pavilion which serves as collation centre during major elections was burnt down.
“In what is a major blow to our preparations for the governorship election scheduled for 6th November 2021, two stores housing electoral materials were burnt down.
“New and old (but serviceable) electric generating machines numbering 376 for all the electoral wards and the extra numbers for backup were completely burnt.
“The electric generators were recently relocated from the LGA) to the state headquarters in the belief that it is more secure than the LGA offices.”
Okoye said non-sensitive materials were also destroyed in the Anambra incident.
“As part of the Commission’s proactive measures to ensure the success of the governorship election later this year, about 50 per cent of the non-sensitive materials required for the November 6, 2021 governorship election already delivered to the state have also been lost in the fire.
“In addition, seven utility vehicles (Toyota Hilux) were burnt.”
INEC said fortunately, new smart card readers were not damaged.
Following a fire incident on the eve of the 2019 general elections in which the smart card readers for the state were destroyed, the Commission moved the replacements from the shipping containers to the concrete store for enhanced protection.
“Also yesterday (Sunday), our office in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA was attacked at about 6.45 pm in an obvious attempt to set the building ablaze.
“Fortunately, the damage was limited to a section of the building, specifically the windows and part of the roof. No electoral materials or office equipment were destroyed.
“At about 1.00 pm yesterday (Sunday), our Igboeze South LGA office was attacked.
“The store was completely burnt down before the Neighborhood Watch and the Enugu State Fire Service responded and prevented the inferno from razing other parts of the building.
“This is the third attack on INEC facilities in the state in less than two weeks following the destruction of our Udenu LGA office on 13th May 2021 and the state headquarters building in Enugu on 16th May 2021.
“All three incidents in Anambra, Imo and Enugu have been reported to the police for investigation.
“Although no life was lost, these are clearly orchestrated and targeted attacks aimed at incapacitating the Commission in conducting electoral activities, especially in Anambra State.
“The attacks on the Commission’s facilities have now become a national emergency. Accordingly, the Commission will brief the government and stakeholders on these incidents.
“Despite these setbacks, the Commission is determined to continue to discharge its responsibilities including the conduct of the scheduled Anambra Governorship election.”
