Hoodlums invaded the Independent National Electoral Commission collation centre for the Ogoja Constituency in Cross River on Sunday, destroying election materials, carting away phones, beating many ward collation officers, and disrupting the collation of results. The trouble began when the results from Nkum Irede were announced; some party agents refused to accept the figures. The Nkum Irede ward result was the seventh of ten wards in Ogoja Local Government Area, with the Peoples Democratic Party clearly leading.
Dr. Paul Bassey Inyang, the collation officer for Mbube East 1, was attacked and reported that more than 30 hoodlums were involved. He said his laptop and duplicate result sheets were destroyed, and that one of his colleagues is still being treated in theatre after being struck with heavy stones and planks. “I pray he comes out alive,” Dr. Inyang said.
Mr. Peter Kolo, the electoral officer for Ogoja Local Government Area, said the hoodlums broke all security barriers to disrupt the collation and destroy the results. “As I speak, we have recovered all the results from both the BVAS and the uploaded portal, and we will soon resume announcing results from the three remaining wards,” he announced.
Dr. Timothy Ellah, the Ogoja Constituency collation officer, said he was beaten by thugs who also carted away some result sheets, sustaining minor injuries. “We have, however, recovered all the results and are ready to resume announcing them,” he added.
Prof. John Undie, the governorship collation officer for Ogoja Local Government, said the staff were fortunate to have survived the attack, noting that everyone inside the hall was beaten. He commended the police for deploying additional officers to ward off the invaders.
The Cross River State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, confirmed the attack and said the suspected thugs have been arrested.
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