The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday announced that unknown persons have attacked its office in Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State.

The incident which happened at 4:00am on Sunday according to Mr. Festus Okoye Esq. National Commissioner & Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee affected the Conference Room where office furniture and fittings were destroyed. He , however, said other critical facilities were not affected.

“Overall, this is the 7th attack on our facilities in five States of the Federation in the last four months,” Mr. Okoye stressed.

He said the attention of the security agencies has been drawn to this latest incident for investigation and prosecution.

A group of Civil Society Organisations recently called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency on political violence in the country. This will send “a strong message of zero tolerance against any form of violence, and clearly communicating actions that will be taking against perpetrators”

It also wants an immediate ratification of the Violence Against Person’s Prohibition (VAPP) Act in states where the law has not been domesticated in Nigeria and also call the attention of the states who have domesticated the law, to effectively implement same, as this this law covers all forms of violence.

The Statement was signed by Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF); ElectHER; DAI; Yiaga Africa; The Albino Foundation (TAF); International Press Center (IPC); The Kukah Center; IMS; Civil Society Legislative Advocacy (CISLAC); CAPPA; JDPMC; SOS Children Village. Part of the statement reads:

“With only 87 days to the 2023 Nigerian General Elections, the safety of women as critical stakeholders in strengthening and preserving the integrity of the electoral process cannot be over emphasized. While women have made significant gains in politics in recent years, their involvement has spurred attacks, intimidation, backlash, and harassment both online and offline in many parts of the country.

Mr. Festus Okoye’s statement on the latest attack is produced below:

“The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Imo State, Professor Sylvia Uchenna Agu, has reported that our office in Oru West Local Government Area was attacked at about 4.00am today Sunday 4th December 2022.

“The attack affected the Conference Room where office furniture and fittings were destroyed. However, other critical facilities were not affected.

“It would be recalled that on Thursday 1st December 2022, our office in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State was also attacked.

“Overall, this is the 7th attack on our facilities in five States of the Federation in the last four months.

“Once again, the Commission expresses its concern on the consequences of what appears to be a systematic attack on its facilities across the country on the conduct of elections in particular and electoral activities in general.

“The attention of the security agencies has been drawn to this latest incident for investigation and prosecution” ,he said.