The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ondo State Eyitayo Jegede says he suspects foul play in the fire that engulfed the state office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday night.
Over 5,000 card readers meant for the October 10 governorship election stored in a container were destroyed in the fire.
Jegede’s campaign organisation in a statement said: “We cannot rule out a foul play in the mystery fire that completely razed down the state INEC office; now, our fate is in the hands of God.”
The statement added: “We smell a rat in all of this, knowing that the next scene in what looks like a drama of the absurd may lead to steps that can tinker with the authentic INEC voters’ list, with yesterday’s fire incident as alibi.”
Jegede called on INEC chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu to probe the incident.
Meanwhile, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu who is seeking re-election visited the fire scene on Friday and described the incident as “unfortunate” and “shocking”.
“We sympathise with you and we want INEC to know that the people of this state are really concerned and are with you at this point in time in this calamitous situation,” he said.
“We are with you and whatever you think we can do that will not be termed as being partisan because whatever we do now could be misinterpreted since we are in an election period, but no doubt we have to come as government and not as contestants
“I can see the determination from how you spoke that the election will still hold on the 10th of October, we are so sorry about this.”
