The documents and materials utilized in the Kogi State governorship election held on November 11 have been relocated from the INEC office in Lokoja, the state capital, to Abuja. This transfer was initiated by INEC’s National Chairman, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, citing security concerns as the primary motive.
Under heightened security measures, the electoral materials were loaded onto at least four trucks on Friday afternoon, embarking on their journey to the Federal Capital Territory. The transported items encompassed election results, BVAS, and other pertinent sensitive documents employed during the election.
An anonymous INEC official disclosed that the directive originated from higher authorities, emphasizing its purpose to facilitate the seamless functioning of the Kogi State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.
The source stated, “The materials used in prosecuting the November 11 governorship election are no longer safe here (in Kogi) because of incessant attacks on INEC officials, offices and tribunal members by thugs sponsored by unknown politicians. Therefore, the commission ordered the removal of the materials to a safe place.”
The tribunal earlier moved its sitting to the National Judicial Council complex in Jabi, Abuja because of the security threats in Lokoja.
The attack on INEC’s office in Lokoja and the threat to the safety of the electoral materials used in the election was confirmed by both the INEC and the Kogi State Police Command through separate statements recently.
INEC office in Lokoja came under attack by suspected thugs while the residence of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr Hale Longpet, was attacked by gunmen on December 1, 2023. The commission noted that while no lives were lost, property was destroyed in the ensuing gun battle that lasted over 30 minutes.
Also, the Secretary of the Kogi State Election Petitions Tribunal, David Mike, was recently ambushed and almost beaten to a pulp on his way to court while petition documents were seized by the thugs.
