House investigates incessant attacks on INEC offices

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the incessant razing of the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission in different parts of the country.

An ad-hoc committee has been named to conduct the investigation within three weeks and produce a report.

The House, at its plenary on Wednesday condemned the increasing arson attacks on other federal government facilities across the Federation.

The House passed the resolution following a motion on notice moved by Hon. Olarewaju Ibrahim Kunle.

The House called on politicians and stakeholders to admonish their supporters to refrain from attacks and violence before or during the 2023 elections.

A recent attack on an INEC building occurred on November 10, 2022, in Abeokuta-South Local Government Area of Ogun State, where over 65,000 uncollected PVCs were destroyed by the arsonists.

The House noted that about 42 such attacks on INEC offices in 14 states had been reported since 2019, and also the main building and other facilities such as 904 Ballot boxes, 29 voting cubicles, 30 megaphones, 57 election bags, 8 electric power generators and 65,699 uncollected Permanent Voters Cards… were reportedly destroyed by unidentified persons at the Abeokuta South Local Government Office.

The house was worried that if these systematically orchestrated attacks on personnel and facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission are not checked, the actions are capable of disrupting the 2023 general election.

It further urged the Nigeria Police Force, Civil Defense Corps and other security agencies to liase with the office of the Attorney- General of the federation and Minister of Justice in bringing the perpetrators to book.