'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER – A fire outbreak has completely razed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Gwadabawa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, the Commission confirmed in a statement released on Friday.
According to the statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the fire incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, February 11, 2025. The inferno consumed the entire building, destroying key electoral materials, furniture, and fixtures.
Among the items lost in the blaze are 558 ballot boxes, 186 voting enclosures (cubicles), 186 election bags, and various Registration Area Centre (RAC) materials, including 12 large water tanks (1,000 litres), 400 sleeping mats, and 300 plastic buckets.
The cause of the fire is yet to be officially determined. However, preliminary findings from INEC’s state office indicate that a sudden surge in public power supply may have triggered the outbreak. Security and safety agencies have since launched an investigation to ascertain the actual cause of the fire.
Despite the extensive damage, the Commission confirmed that no injuries or fatalities were recorded in the incident. INEC has also assured the public that efforts are underway to secure an alternative temporary office in the Local Government Area to prevent any disruption to electoral activities.
The fire incident was reviewed at INEC’s regular weekly meeting on Thursday, February 13, 2025, where the Commission resolved to work closely with security agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire and ensure adequate measures are put in place to prevent future occurrences.
INEC has called for calm and reassured stakeholders of its commitment to ensuring that electoral activities in the affected area continue as planned.
