More assets of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Imo, Anambra and Enugu states were attacked yesterday, Checkout Magazine learnt.
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.
Okoye said: “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.
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.”
The recent attack in Enugu makes it a third within the space of two weeks.
INEC stated that All three incidents in Anambra, Imo and Enugu have been reported to the police for investigation.
