BARELY one month to the governorship election in Ondo State, Fire, Thursday night gutted the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the state, destroying Smart Card Readers.
Though cause of the inferno was unknown as of the time of filing this report, it was gathered that the fire also destroyed some items in a section of the office.
When one of newsmen visited the scene, security operatives cordoned off the premises.
READ ALSO: Edo Guber: Violence Will Escalate COVID-19, INEC Warns
The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, confirmed the incident in a short statement titled ‘Fire at INEC office in Akure’.
He noted that the commission would commence an immediate investigation into the cause of the fire
He said, “Fire broke out today (Thursday) September 10, 2020, at the Ondo State Head Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Akure.
READ ALSO: Ondo Deputy Governor Dumps PDP, Set To Defect To ZLP
The inferno, which gutted the container housing Smart Card Readers, started at 7.30 pm. Men of the Fire Service are however currently containing the fire.
“INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, who is in Ondo State in connection with preparations for the Ondo State Governorship election scheduled for October 10, 2020, rushed to the office about 8 pm.
“The Administrative Secretary of the State, Mr. Popoola, and some staff of the commission are also there.
READ ALSO: Cracks In Ondo PDP As Five Governors Back Ajayi’s ZLP Move
“Okoye said an investigation into the cause of the fire will commence promptly after the fire has been contained.”
