ABUJA, Dec 21 (NNN-XINHUA) — Persistent attacks on the electoral body’s offices might have an adverse effect on the forthcoming general elections in the country, a Nigerian official said.
If attacks on the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) across the country were unabated till January 2023, the electoral body might face a terrible challenge in conducting the February polls, Festus Okoye, spokesman for the INEC, told a forum organized by the National Defense College in Abuja.
Nigeria has recently witnessed attacks in which arsonists razed or destroyed INEC offices, as well as ruined voting cubicles, ballot boxes and other election materials.
These attacks, said Okoye, were “systematic and coordinated to derail the INEC from conducting a free, fair, credible and transparent election.”
Security agencies have promised to assure stability where INEC offices are located, Okoye said.
The INEC has fixed Feb. 25, 2023, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while the governorship and state assembly elections will be held a week later. — NNN-XINHUA
