An INEC registration centre in Ebonyi state has been set ablaze by suspected political thugs.
This according to reports happened i=in the early hours of today. The thugs, were also said to have attacked staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who were at the Okposi Umuoghara Community Secondary School in Ezza North local government area of Ebonyi state.
The thugs numbering about 15, stormed the place with dangerous weapons before carting away some sensitive materials then setting ablaze the school building.
Loveth Odah, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), when contacted confirmed the development and said efforts are being made to arrest the thugs.
This is coming after President Buhar assured Nigerians of a safe and fair election.
In his statement, the president said;
“On Saturday, February 16, 2019, you will, once again, be called upon to choose the leaders who will pilot the affairs of our great nation for the next four years. This is a constitutional right, which should be freely exercised by all eligible voters.
“I wish, therefore, to start by assuring all Nigerians that this government will do its very best to ensure that the 2019 elections take place in a secure and peaceful atmosphere.
“It was indeed such free, fair and peaceful elections that made it possible for our Government to emerge, despite the fact that we were contesting against a long-standing incumbent party.
“And as your president and a fellow Nigerian, I ask that you come out and queue to fulfil this important obligation you have to yourselves and your fellow citizens – and to our common future.
‘’Let me at this point, reaffirm the commitment of the Federal Government to the conduct of free and fair elections in a safe and peaceful atmosphere. Just yesterday (Wednesday), I signed the Peace Accord alongside 72 other presidential candidates.
Assures foreigners of safety
‘’I want to assure all Nigerians, the diplomatic community and all foreign election observers of their safety and full protection. Any comments or threats of intimidation from any source do not represent the position of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“As government has a critical role in maintaining the democratic traditions, so do citizens. I, therefore, urge you all, as good Nigerians, to take a personal interest in promoting and maintaining peace in your respective neighbourhoods during the elections. This is certainly not a time to allow personal, religious, sectional or party interests to drive us to desperation.
“At this point, I want to make a special appeal to our youth: Do not allow yourselves to be used to cause violence and destruction. The people who want to incite you are those preparing the ground for discrediting the elections. Having lost the argument, they fear losing the elections.’’
Reacting to the broadcast, Mr. Akin Osuntokun, spokesman of Atiku Abubakar Campaign, said: ‘’Typical Buhari and APC. When the Nigerian public was advised to tune in to a national broadcast by the President, the country was expecting a Presidential broadcast not a misuse of the platform for shop-worn campaign address by the Presidential candidate of the APC.
“But then what do you expect from a President who appears to have lost all sense of political propriety. Remember, he saw nothing wrong in inviting foreign nationals to invade the country and help mobilise against his fellow nationals.
“All the broadcast stations that were deceitfully made to believe they were hooking up to a non-partisan address should immediately proceed to charge the APC presidential candidate for the airtime they expended. In the alternative, we are demanding a commensurate gratis exposure for our candidate, Atiku Abubakar.”
