By Aaron Ossai
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has announced postponement of elections in 141 polling units in four wards in Yenegoa, the Bayelsa state capital.
The Commission’s Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu who announced this at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday said the affected wards are Ward 4, Ward 6, Ward 8 and Ward 16 respectively.
He said elections in the affected wards were marred by either late arrival of INEC officials and materials as well as security breaches.
The INEC boss said elections in the affected wards will be held this morning, Sunday, February 26 adding that the reason for rescheduling the election is due to the Commission’s resolve that no Nigerian will be disenfranchised during the 2023 general elections.
He said that despite the fact that materials arrived late in some parts of Lagos state such as Okota, Mofolokwu, Oshodi among others, voting took place as those who turned out were allowed to vote.
He said that in order to resolve reports of pockets of violence in various parts of the country, the Commission met with the Inspector General of Police, National Security Adviser, NSA and the Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC on Saturday afternoon.
According to him, the meeting became necessary because of reports in some parts of the country that hoodlums targeting BVAS machines stormed some polling units and disrupted the voting process.
He confirmed the attack on the Commission’s officials in Gwoza, Borno state explaining however that no life was lost and no INEC facility was damaged during the attack.
Speaking further, Professor Yakubu reiterated the Commission’s resolve not to allow anything truncate the 2023 general elections or the peoples’ wish stating that the technologies introduced into the current electoral process have given good account of themselves.
