By Emeka SamueI
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in Akwa Ibom has said that arrangements for Saturday’s scheduled elections will still hold in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA is ongoing despite the burning of INEC office in the area.
Resident Electoral Commissioner Barr Mike Igini said in Uyo that the commission has already made provision for backups for election materials including card readers, generators and others destroyed in the inferno on Thursday night.
The setback in Ibesikpo Asutan Igini said that would not affect Elections in the other 30 LGAs of the state even if elections are cancelled in the area.
“There is no going on the March 9 election. Election will hold as scheduled, no matter the plot. But we have been able to order several card readers from neighbouring states and we are presently configuring them in readiness for the election.” Igini said.
According to him, an explosive device was thrown into the building, which ripped the roof open and substantial damage done to the walls with several card readers burnt.
“From our findings, there place was attacked with explosives because we noticed huge damage done to the walls and the roof completely shattered.” He said.
Sorces say that over 160 Card Readers out of 190 provided ,12 brand-new generators, computer sets and other office equipment were burnt in the infernor.
The Electoral Officer (EO), Mr. Victor Inyang, said that no Ballot Papers was destroyed by the fire.” They thought the election materials were kept in the store. So, they went there first.”
The fire, according to an eyewitness,was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted in the Store Section of the office.
In the meantime the Ibesikpo Asutan chapter of the APC in a statement endorsed by its chairman, Mr Joe Okon blamed the PDP for the night infernor
“This fire incident is quite suspicious coming on the eve of a most critical election that the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has vowed to win at all cost.
” The fire incident may just be a smoke screen to distract attention from current reports that sensitive election materials for the state have found their way into the possession of PDP as part of the unholy marriage between INEC and the PDP in our state.
“This will be very unfortunate and the All Progressives Congress will reject every move that compromises the sanctity and integrity of tomorrow’s election in the Local Government.” It said.
Efforts to get officials of the PDP in the state to react to the allegations was not successful.
