Describing it as “THE DANGEROUS TREND OF BURNING INEC OFFICES ACROSS THE COUNTRY”, The Centre for Transparency Advocacy, a Civil Society Organisation on Tuesday expressed shock at the rate INEC offices are attacked across the country, particularly in the South East.

The CSO while condemning the trend note the attacks have devastating effects.

“This is a dangerous trend if not checked will impede the process of organizing the November 6, Ananmbra State Governorship Election”. The organisation insists in a statement issued by its Executive Director, Ms Faith Nwadishi, and made available to NewsExpress in Abuja.

The CSO noted that the coordinated attacks in recent times have affected three states in the South East in particular.

“The INEC office in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA in Imo State was razed by unknown men, followed by the burning of the Igboeze LGA office in Enugu State. Not enough for the perpetrators, they stormed Udenu office on May 16, 2021 and sustained their dishonorable act with the attack on the INEC headquarters in Enugu where vehicles were burnt and offices ransacked.

“On Sunday night, May 23, 2021, the INEC headquarters in Awka, Anambra State, was invaded and set on fire. It appears that these dastard events are targeted at truncating and sabotaging the forthcoming Anambra Election.

“This has to stop now. A stitch in time saves nine.

“We call on the citizens across the country especially, South East to protect INEC properties in their domain. The only way to effect a credible change is through the ballot. The people can only succeed by coming out to vote for credible candidates of their choice and this can only be achieved in a peaceful atmosphere and not in chaos.

“We support INEC’s call for the federal government to declare a security emergency and define a definite strategy to protect INEC’s properties and personnel not only in the South East but across the nation,” the organisation stated.

Calling on stakeholders to support INEC in this onerous but important national task, the CSO also tasks the National Orientation Agency and Civil Society Organisations to up efforts to educate the citizens on the importance of supporting INEC by protecting INEC offices and personnel with the aim of sustaining democratic process and good governance in Nigeria.