The office of the INEC in the Emouha Local Government Area of Rivers State was on Saturday night razed by persons believed to be political thugs.
A senior official of INEC confirmed the incident hours after hundreds of All Progressives Congress protesters yesterday besieged the INEC office in Port Harcourt demanding the conduct of a fresh presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.
The INEC official, who wants to remain anonymous said, “I got information from one of our officials that some individuals harassed them before setting the place ablaze on Saturday.
“We are still trying to gather more information on the incident.”
The protesting APC supporters had earlier converged on the Government House in Port Harcourt, around noon before proceeding to the INEC office on Aba Road.
The party supporters, who were led by their governorship aspirant, Dakuku Peterside, carried placards some of which read, ‘‘INEC is an arm of Rivers PDP,’’ ‘‘There was no election in Rivers,’’ ‘‘We must be allowed to vote,’’ and ‘‘INEC, conduct election in Rivers State.’’
At the gate of the commission’s office, they further explained that the protest was necessary because they were disenfranchised on Saturday.
Peterside said to journalists that there was no election in the state, adding that the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Gecilla Khan, played a ‘‘key’’ role in subverting the will of the people.
He said that residents did not vote after observing that result sheets were not available.
The APC candidate further added, “What you are seeing here are registered voters, who are supporters of the APC. They are here to protest the fact that yesterday (Saturday), they were not allowed to exercise their franchise.
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