The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated its office in Lokoja was under siege on Wednesday by persons it described as a mob, preventing its staff from carrying out their assigned responsibilities.
A statement in Abuja by the Kogi Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Hale Gabriel Longpet, said the mob also prevented lawyers involved in the recent off cycle election in the state from inspecting materials used for the exercise.
The Commission however assured that it was committed to granting unimpeded access to all materials needed to prosecute their petitions
The statement reads: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kogi State wishes to inform the public that the State Headquarters in Lokoja was besieged this morning by a mob that barricaded all entrances to the office and prevented access to staff to carry out routine duties.
“The siege also prevented Attorneys representing political parties involved in the recent off-cycle governorship election from inspecting documents/materials used in the election.
“It took the intervention of the Nigerian Army to calm the situation down at the State Headquarters. The security agencies have assured us that they will maintain normalcy on our premises.
“We assure all parties and litigants that the Kogi State office is committed to granting unimpeded access to all materials needed to prosecute their petitions”.