You can understand why INEC is the target if you compare it to the past, when he stated what's occurring in Imo State is politically motivated, the state will be ungovernable, and there will be no election.
Non-state forces have assaulted the electoral empire's offices and infrastructure before, but it's growing more common, especially in Nigeria's south-east.
Imo and Enugu had the most INEC office attacks in a year, with six in Imo and five in Enugu.
According to data from the Nigeria Security Tracker (NST) of the Council of Foreign Affairs, Imo and Enugu states have had eleven different attacks on INEC facilities between 2021 and 2022; Ebonyi has seen three; while Abia and Anambra have each seen one. Coordinated attacks follow a pattern. Assailants with sophisticated weaponry torch offices and vehicles, murdering any officials inside.
While attacking INEC premises, these bloodsuckers have also attacked Nigerian Police. The NST reported 75 police station and checkpoint attacks. Daredevils spared no area or command centre. Over 100 police officers have died in these attacks in the past two years, according to the NST. Imo has the most police station and checkpoint attacks. In the Eastern Heartland, 30 police stations and checkpoints were attacked, killing 27 officers. In Anambra, 18 attacks murdered 44 policemen. Enugu had 13 attacks that killed 25 policemen, while Abia had seven that killed seven. Multiple attacks hit some facilities.
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, warned attacks on commission infrastructure and security officers would damage 2023 elections. "The attacks have far-reaching effects on election preparedness," he stated at a recent session. First, destroying buildings, especially offices, takes time. They're not shelf-ready things. "An alternative must be found." Assailants destroyed or stole several voter IDs, he said.
Who is stoking violence and trying to stop South-East elections?
While Uzodinma called them "wicked politicians," Ebonyi's Dave Umahi called them "criminals exploiting IPOB's name." The federal government and many private persons blame IPOB. Alkali Baba, the country's police chief, said IPOB was behind the masks destroying INEC infrastructure.
IPOB was created by Nnamdi Kanu, who is now detained by DSS despite court orders for his release. Kanu never veiled his animosity for the Nigerian government and unity. Before the 2019 general elections, he was shown on camera claiming polls wouldn't take place until Nigeria asked for a referendum. He fled before the polls but was found in Kenya and returned. Since July 2021, DSS has detained him.
Following Kanu's imprisonment, IPOB declared a Monday sit-at-home protest, enforced by gun-wielding thugs. This weekly exercise has cost the region many lives.
Simon Ekpa, a disciple of Kanu, purportedly leads IPOB from Finland. Ekpa opposes South-East elections and monitors the sit-at-home ritual. He recently issued a five-day sit-at-home order and, afterward, said South-East polls would not be held.
"End Nigeria by 2023," he said. Biafraland won't have general elections in 2023; all Biafrans must make this sacrifice. "I'm Simon Ekpa, Nnamdi Kanu's Biafra pupil."
Authorities say IPOB is responsible even though it hasn't claimed responsibility. Someone or someones are determined to prevent elections in that region for unknown reasons. After each attack, INEC promised that "nothing will stop the 2023 elections"
