Ondo 2020: PDP Raises Questions Over INEC Office Fire Incident

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has questioned the recent fire outbreak at the state office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Recall that fire had gutted the ICT section of the commission where 5141 units of card readers meant for the October 10 governorship election were burnt and destroyed.

Reacting in a statement on Friday the state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kennedy Peretei said the incident was received with “great disappointment”.

He stated that there are questions begging for answers which INEC must clarify.

“Is INEC saying it does not have an internal mechanism to curtail fire outbreak in her office? Is the metal container containing the over 5000 card reader machines connected to electricity?

“If so, was the electricity supply not put off after the official close of work at 05.00pm? Where were the security officers on duty at the time the fire started? Why was it that fire engulfed a container housing over 5000 card reader machines within few minutes?” Peretei asked.

He said the PDP cannot afford to go into the Ondo governorship election with a compromised system.

According to the PDP spokesperson a full report was needed to determine the causes of the inferno.

He stressed that no excuse would be accepted from the Commission if there is a complaint of non-functionality of card reader machines during the forthcoming election.

“We want to believe that INEC will come to equity with clean hands and play the role of an unbiased umpire during and after the election.

“Or how do we explain a scenario where fire razed over 5000 card reader machines just 30 days to the governorship election?”