Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has directed all the 17 Transition Council Chairmen in the state to ensure that all facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, within their Local Government Areas are protected.
He also said the Deputy Chairman should be part of enforcing the directive “by liaising with security agencies, local vigilante services, traditional rulers and youths.”
The governor’s directive followed the uncovering of alleged plans by hoodlums and political thugs to burn down facilities of Commission in six Local Government Areas.
The Abia State Commissioner for Information, John Okiyi Kalu, had on Friday raised the alarm over plans by hired political thugs to burn down the facilities of INEC in six LGAs of Obingwa, Ugwunagbo, Isiala Ngwa South, Ukwa East, Ukwa West and Osisioma.
Recall that INEC office had been burnt down by suspected hoodlums in Isiala Ngwa North LGA of Abia State prior to the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Enyinnaya Appolos, he said the 17 chairmen “are also to ensure that the March 9 election is peaceful before, during and after the exercise.”
He noted that, “This directive is sequel to intelligence reports received by the state government that desperate unscrupulous politicians are advanced in their plot to import hoodlums from outside the state to disrupt the coming elections for their selfish reasons.”
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Gov. Ikpeazu called on security agencies in the state, especially the Nigeria Police Force, to ensure that the targeted facilities and others in the state were adequately protected before, during and after the remaining elections.
“Abia State government has uncovered plots by some hoodlums hired by desperate political actors to burn down Independent National Electoral Commission facilities in Obingwa, Ugwunagbo, Isiala Ngwa South, Ukwa East, Ukwa West and Osisioma Local Government Areas of the State.
“We wish to call on all those involved in the dastardly plot to desist from such nefarious activities even as we urge our youths not to allow themselves be used to perpetrate such a heinous crime.
“Security agencies in the state, especially the Nigeria Police Force, are hereby called upon to ensure that the targeted facilities and others in the state are adequately protected before, during and after the remaining elections,” the statement said.
