Security Forces Block INEC Headquarters in Lokoja Following Attack By Protesters
Security forces have barricaded the Kogi state headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lokoja following an attack by some protesting members of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
SDP supporters were demanding the relocation of the material used by INEC for the conduct of the recent governorship poll in the state to Abuja to prevent the ruling APC from tampering with them.
The protests, which started peacefully, later degenerated into violence. They threw harmful objects at the INEC secretariat, and policemen fired tear gas to disperse them.
All roads leading to the INEC office have been cordoned off by security operatives.
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When contacted, the Director, Media and Publicity/Spokesperson of the Kogi APC Governorship Campaign Council, Kingsley Fanwo, dismissed the allegations as senseless and called on the authorities to call the SDP to order.
He said the APC would assess the situation and issue an official statement on it later, noting that “the SDP people know they have no evidence to back their claims. They are playing the victim to cover their shame.”
He, however, said the SDP should allow the Tribunal to sit peacefully and give INEC the breathing space to do their work as required by the law.
Recall that Usman Ododo of the APC won the November 11 governorship election with a wide margin, polling 446,237 votes to defeat his closest rival, Murtala Ajaka of the SDP, who got 259,052 votes, while Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 46,362 votes.
