Report of Kogi INEC office bombing fake news – REC





The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that none of its offices in Kogi state was bombed as erroneously published by an online media, describing the report as fake news orchestrated by enemies of the commission.

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Kogi state INEC, Gabriel Longpet, stated this on Tuesday while briefing newsmen on the Commission’s state of preparations of  ahead of Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly election.

He said the reported bombing of INEC office at Obangede, the headquarters of Okehi local government area as reported by some online media  was not true, saying it was the council’s secretariat that explosion occurred.

According to him, the commission  was ready for the forthcoming election, noting that over 1.6 million people in Kogi state  have collected their Permanent Voters Card to exercise their franchise during the election.

The REC also disclosed that 3,508 Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BVAS) has been received, saying upon testing 24 of the BVAS were defective and sent back for replacement.

He added that additional 282 BVAS was also sent to the state as backup to ensure smooth conduct of the general election.

“We embarked on mock election to test the integrity of the BVAS and we are satisfied. Two local government areas each was selected from the three senatorial districts of the state and we are satisfied and confident going into the general election.

“With this mock election people are now very sure that the election will hold,” he said.

He charged politicians and political leaders to sensitize their supporters against violence during the election, urging political parties to play the game by the rules, assuring that votes must be count.