Speaking at the first of several 2023 Post Election Review Meetings with Electoral Officers from 36 States, the Federal Capital Territory, and Transport Unions in Abuja, INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu PHOTO: INEC Nigeria on TwitterIn response to a mob siege of INEC's headquarters in Lokoja on Wednesday, the military increased security surrounding the building.
Following the mob's siege of the INEC office, Kogi Commissioner of Police Mr. Bethrand Onuoha summoned the military inside.
In order to help secure the INEC office, Onuoha notified Brig.-Gen. Haruna Dasuki, Commander of the Nigerian Army's 12 Brigade.
"I am forced to ask the armed forces to assist the police in guarding the INEC office.
"The military' presence was quite beneficial. The police have an obligation to safeguard the public and their property, and we shall do so. Onuoha gave a guarantee.
The police had previously been notified by INEC itself that its office was under siege.
Dr. Gabriel Longpet, the office's resident electoral commissioner, claimed in Lokoja that the crowd blocked all entrances to the building and stopped staff members from performing their jobs.
"The mob also stopped legal representatives for political parties involved in the state's off-cycle gubernatorial election on November 11 from viewing records and materials utilized for the exercise.
The Nigerian Army's intervention was necessary to defuse the situation. We have received assurances from the security agencies that everything would continue as usual on our property,'' he said.
Longpet gave every political party and litigant his word that INEC would provide them with unrestricted access to all the materials required to pursue their election petitions.