Follow Us on Google
From Tony Osauzo and Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Thursday, assured that the Commission would conduct a credible governorship election in Edo State despite damage to critical equipment and infrastructure at the Commission’s office in the state, following heavy downpours last week Friday.
He said the affected infrastructure would be repaired or replaced, adding that since the Edo governorship election is an off-cycle election, the Commission would also borrow equipment from neighbouring states to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
The INEC Chairman stated this while inspecting the level of damage to the facilities in the office in Benin City and to monitor the level of compliance with the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) and collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) in the state.
He explained that he came for the visit with three National Directors in charge of critical areas of the Commission like Voters Registration, Estate, Works and Transport, and ICT to assess the level of damage to their facilities, including the State Controller of the Federal Ministry of Works which would carry out needed construction work in the facilities. He ruled out moving out of the place because of the perennial flooding in the area.
Professor Yakubu stressed that the Commission was prepared for the election in Edo State and the next one which is that of Ondo State where he said the CVR would commence very soon.
“Our visit here is to ensure that we fix whatever we need to fix because of the election. We have three months and three weeks to the election, and that is why we came here to inspect what happened to our facility on Friday last week. So, there is no immediate plan to relocate; we believe from what is here we can fix them before the election, and it is better actually that we conduct the election in our own facilities rather than going to rent any facility outside close to election.
“Before the last governorship election in Edo, we took measures, and for three years since the last governorship election, we have had no issues, but this is an act of God,” he said.
When asked to quantify the cost of damage in the facility, the INEC boss said, “It is very difficult to quantify now; we are on the assessment, that is why we are on this tour.
“We have been joined by three critical Directors responsible for Voters Registration, our Estate, Works and Transport at the headquarters and our Director of ICT, so they will stay behind, do the assessment and advise the Commission.
“Let me use this opportunity to assure and reassure Edo voters that it is unfortunate that this thing happened in our office on Friday. We took a proactive measure to ensure that the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) was not affected by calling for additional resources from the neighbouring states. And whatever it takes, since INEC is one national body and we are only going to have two elections in Edo and Ondo states, I will call for additional resources where it is necessary from neighbouring states, and the elections will proceed as scheduled. We will recover from this unfortunate incident,” Prof. Yakubu said.
Commenting on whether the 10 days for the CVR would be extended as being agitated in some quarters, the INEC Chairman said a decision would be taken after assessing the situation.
“We have not reached there yet; we will go round and see what happened. We are encouraged by the turnout, not only of fresh registrants, that is persons who are registered voters or who are not of age when the last registration exercise was done, so we are encouraged by the turnout, not only of the fresh registrants but also by those who are applying for transfers, relocation and the replacement of PVCs. We are encouraged by that; when we get to the bridge, we will cross it.”
Speaking earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Edo State, Dr Anugbum Onuoha, said the flood could be termed a blessing in disguise as it has better prepared INEC for the election.
