Again, Hoodlums Set Ablaze INEC Office In Imo

Hoodlums have set ablaze another facility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.

The National Commissioner & Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday.

Naija News understands that the attacked facility undergoing extensive renovation was earlier set ablaze in 2020. The commission said three people working at the site were kidnapped but later released.

“The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Imo State, Professor Sylvia Uchenna Agu, reported that our Orlu Local Government Area office was attacked. The incident occurred yesterday, Thursday, December 1, 2022.

“The building underwent extensive renovation following an earlier attack and was vandalised and partially set ablaze.

“Three out of seven construction workers were abducted but later released,” Okoye noted in the statement.

The official noted further that the damage done to the facility was extensive, but the quick response of the Nigeria Police, which deployed its personnel to the site halted further damages.

“This is one attack too many. The Commission once again expresses its concern over the spate of attacks on its facilities and the negative consequences on our preparations for the 2023 General Election”, he added.

Naija News understands that the latest attack is the fourth on Local Government INEC offices within three weeks, following attacks in Ogun, Osun and Ebonyi states.

INEC Announces Schedule For Collection Of PVCs 

Meanwhile, the electoral commission announced on Friday that the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would begin across the nation from Monday, December 12, 2022, to Sunday, January 22, 2023.

Naija News reports that INEC concluded on when and how to begin the collection of the PVCs after a retreat in Lagos with all the Administrative Secretaries and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT held from 28th November to 2nd December 2022, Naija News understands.

The National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Festus Okoye, disclosed this in a statement on Friday night.

The statement read: “Consequently, the Commission has fixed Monday 12 December 2022 to Sunday 22 January 2023 as the dates for collecting PVCs in all the 774 local government offices throughout the Federation.

“The commission also resolved to devolve PVC collection to the 8,809 registration areas/wards from Friday 6th to Sunday 15th January 2023,” Okoye said.

He said those unable to collect their PVCs at the commission’s local government offices could do so at the registration areas/electoral wards.

Okoye urged all eligible and valid registrants to collect their PVCs daily from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, including Saturdays and Sundays.