The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi, says Thursday fire incident that destroyed card readers in INEC’s office appears to be part of a ploy to subvert the will of the people in the October 10 gubernatorial election in the state.
Ajayi, the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the guber poll, disclosed this in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Babatope Okeowo in Akure.
The Herald had reported that the fire incident which occurred around 8:20 pm hit the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in the state capital.
It was gathered that the fire, which occurred at about 8.20 pm, gutted a large container housing the card readers.
INEC Commissioner in Charge of Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, confirmed that 5,141 card readers meant for the guber poll were affected.
However, he said that the election would still go on despite the incident.
Reacting, Ajayi expressed grave concern at the fire incident.
“Why did the fire target the store where card readers meant for the election were kept?” the deputy governor queried.
He noted that the fire incident coming barely four weeks before the governorship election should worry every responsible and reasonable citizen of Ondo State.
He said law enforcement agencies should ask if the intention of those responsible for the inferno was to seek the postponement of the election or the cancellation of the use of card readers for accreditation.
“The people of Ondo State are waiting patiently for the outcome of the investigation as they will not tolerate any ploy by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to subvert the wish of the electorate,” Ajayi stated.
He retreated that the fire incident must be fully investigated and those found culpable made to face the wrath of the law.
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