WED. 30 NOV, 2022-theGBJournal| The Federal House of Representatives, today at its plenary, resolved to investigate the ”incessant” razing of the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in different parts of the country.
Expressing worries about the attacks in a statement released to the media, the House warned that ”if these systematically orchestrated attacks” on personnel and facilities of the INEC are not checked, ”the actions are capable of disrupting the 2023 general elections.
The House to this effect, named named an ad-hoc committee to conduct the investigation within three weeks and produce a report.
The Plenary which was presided over by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, also condemned the increasing arson attacks on other federal government facilities across the country.
It subsequently passed a resolution following what it called, ”a motion on notice” moved by Representative Olarewaju Ibrahim Kunle, calling on politicians and stakeholders to admonish their supporters to refrain from attacks and violence before or during the 2023 general elections.
The House also resolved to urge the Nigerian Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps and other security agencies to liaise with the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in bringing the pertrators to book.
The law makers noted a recent attack on an INEC building which occured on November 10, 2022, in Abeokuta South Local Government Area (LGA) of Ogun State, where over 65, 000 uncollected PVCs were destroyed by arsonists. About 42 such attacks on INEC offices in 14 States had been reported since 2019.
The lawmakers said they are aware that the main building and other facilities such 904 Ballot boxes, 29 voting cubicles, 30 megaphones, 57 election bags, 8 electric power generators as well as 65, 699 uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards, were reportedly destroyed by unidentified persons at the Abeokuta South LGA office.
They also expressed worry that on the same day, arsonists and thugs set ablaze the INEC building at Oke Iresi at Ede South LGA od Osun State.
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