By: Felix Ikpotor
With less than ten days to the conduct of the rescheduled legislative rerun elections in Rivers State, the Secretariat of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area in the state has been razed down by suspected arsonist.
The Rivers state Police Command has already confirmed the attack on secretariat.
Although the brain behind the attack is still unknown but some say, it may be to scuttle the rescheduled rerun elections in the area.
While confirming the incidence, Police Public Relations Officer in Rivers State, DSP Nnamdi Omoni said the attack was carried out by arsonist.
“We got the information midnight around 1: 00am that there was an explosion in the INEC secretariat. We can now confirm that the office was attacked. It was razed by unknown arsonists. But we are investigating.
“Our men have been deployed to the scene to ensure there is no breakdown of order.”
Also, Caretaker Chairman of Khana Local Government area, Gbara Erelo, told newsmen that the incident was the handiwork of persons who do not want the election to hold.
Erelo said, “It is an act of those who don’t want election to be done. If you want election to be done, you will not do that kind of thing.”
The Police in Rivers state are expected to release a comprehensive detail on the situation in Bori.
The area is the heart of Rivers South-East Senatorial District where Senator Magnus Abe of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Senator Olaka Nworgu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, are contesting.