The Independent National Electoral Commission on Friday said no fewer than 50 cases of attacks have taken place at campaigns of various parties and candidates in 21 states since the commencement of campaigns ahead of 2023 elections.
Chairman of the Commission Prof Mahmud Yakubu gave this figure when he met with the Inter-Agency Committee on Security of the Commission in Abuja.
He also gave a breakdown of the losses suffered by his commission affer arsonists stormed its offices in Abeokuta Ogun State and Ede , Osun state on Wednesday.
The INEC boss said election conduct does not depend on INEC alone but a combination of many other stakeholders including security agencies.
At the meeting on Friday were the National Security Adviser
The Inspector-General of Police
Heads/Representatives of Various Security Agencies
Other Members of ICCES
National Commissioners
Senior Officials of the Commission.
The INEC boss said two developments during the week had necessitated the meeting.
He said the commission would leave the details to the determination of the security agencies who are investigating the incidents.
He said, “While the damage in the attack in Ede South was minimal, that of Abeokuta South was extensive.” Giving the breakdown of the damage he said, “Materials destroyed include 904 ballot boxes, 29 voting cubicles, 8 electric power generators, 57 election bags, 30 megaphones, 65,699 uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and a host of other assorted items such as stamps and stamp pads.”
He added that The Commission is taking urgent steps to repair the damage to the building and replace the facilities in the Ede South Local Government Area so that the office becomes functional again immediately.
He said in Abeokuta South Local Government Area office, where the destruction was total, the Commission will relocate its staff to the old State office (also known as INEC Office Annex) in Oke-Ilewo area of Abeokuta.
“All activities involving the 15 Registration Areas (Wards) and 445 Polling Units in Abeokuta South Local Government Area will henceforth be coordinated from the new location in Oke-Ilewo.
“Similarly, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ogun State has been directed to compile the Voter Identification Numbers (VINs) of all the 65,699 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) lost in the attack from our database and submit the record for immediate reprint. We want to assure affected registered voters in Abeokuta South that no one will be disenfranchised as a result of this dastardly act.”
On the spate of physical attacks during the ongoing political campaigns and rallies, the Yakubu said “so far tracked 50 incidents across 21 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
“These unhappy occurrences are coming just a little over one month into the election campaign which is scheduled to last for about five months from 28th September 2022 to 23rd February 2023 for national elections (Presidential and National Assembly) and from 12th October 2022 to 11th March 2023 for State elections (Governorship and Houses of Assembly). “The Commission is worried that if no urgent and decisive steps are taken, the attacks will intensify as we approach the election date.”
He said for a peaceful election, the commission would need to take decisive steps to stem the ugly trend.
“As a body, the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) brings together security, safety and other agencies responsible for securing the process and ensuring peaceful elections in Nigeria. Understandably, Nigerians expect a decisive action from ICCES. It is important that we move swiftly to apprehend perpetrators, prosecute them as required by law and reinforce security around election officials and electoral infrastructure around the country.”