Fire destroys ‘logistic materials’ at INEC office in Ibadan

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reported a fire outbreak at its office in Ibadan south-east LGA of Oyo state.

According to a statement by Adeniran Tella, the state resident electoral commissioner (REC), the fire incident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. on Friday.

The REC said the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained but it was suspected to have been triggered off by a power surge.

Tella said no life was lost, adding that only logistic materials got burnt.

He said the incident did not affect the Saki west state constituency’s upcoming re-run election.

The by-elections arising from the death or resignation of members of the national and state houses of assembly are scheduled to be held on February 3.

The polls will cover two senatorial districts (Ebonyi south and Yobe east); four federal constituencies (Shanga/Ngaski/Yauri federal constituency of Kebbi state, Surulere I Federal constituency of Lagos state, Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency of Ondo state, and Jalingo/Yorro/Zing federal constituency of Taraba state).

Bye-elections will also be held in three state constituencies (Guma I State constituency of Benue state, Chibok state constituency of Borno state and Chikun state constituency of Kaduna state).

Re-run elections that were ordered by tribunals are also fixed to be conducted in 39 federal constituencies on the same day.