The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed two of its officers for alleged theft of Permanent Voter Cards in its Patani Local Government Area office, Delta State. This information was contained in the commission’s bulletin released in Abuja on Thursday. The dismissed officers are Mr. Collins Omofoma (SGL 09 Officer) and Mr. Onome Avbunudiogba (SGL 07 Officer).
The commission also terminated the appointment of Mrs. Obi Chinwoke Ugochi, an Administrative Officer II (SGL 08) for alleged absence from duty without permission. Ugochi is of the commission’s Anambra State office.
According to two Decision Extracts, dated January 8, 2015 and signed by the Director (Commission’s Secretariat), Ishiaku Gali, the dismissal and termination of appointments of the three officers followed the commission’s meeting of Thursday, January 8, 2015.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command on Thursday intercepted a truck loaded with electoral materials in Gboko, Gboko Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s spokesman, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, John Bako, confirmed the interception to newsmen.
He however said,
“The people were intercepted by our men this morning (Thursday) and taken to custody and after a thorough investigation, it was discovered that the electoral materials were for the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission.The BESIEC official had the permission letter from one of the directors of the Commission to go round the state and gather electoral materials from the last local government election.”
The police PPRO noted that if not for the intervention of the Police, the situation would have degenerated into a crisis along party line.
When asked why they were not going around with police escorts, Bako said,
“Well, they were advised to do so next time.”
It was alleged that the electoral materials belonged to one of the major political parties meant to facilitate rigging in the 2015 general elections.
A prominent Tiv elder, Chief Iorapuu Amile, regretted the development wondering why BESIEC would be going around in the name of gathering electoral materials that were used two years ago for local government elections.
Amile charged the Police to be more proactive, as being neutral would be the only way to avoid anarchy during and after the 2015 general elections.
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