Ondo Burnt Card Readers: Gov Akeredolu Promises Assistance, Deputy Calls For Probe |The Source

By Ayodele Oni, Akure

Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo state, Mr Rufus Akeju, has promised that the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) would investigate the cause of the fire incident in its Akure office which burnt over 5,000 card readers.

Akeju, while receiving Governor Rotimi Akeredolu who visited the scene of the incident on Friday, assured that the burnt gadgets would be replaced immediately by the commission.

Card readers are part of vital materials needed for the conduct of the Governorship election slated for October 10 in the state.

The Governor pledged to assist the  commission in replacing some of the burnt gadgets.

While inspecting the scene, he expressed shock at the unwholesome development noting that the fire must have been very serious following offensive smoke still emanating from the scene, sixteen hours after the fire outbreak.

Akeredolu maintained that the replacement of the destroyed gadgets, especially the card readers, would be at great cost, particularly,  in less than a month to the governorship election, hence  the state’s support.

The fire incident which occurred at about 8.30pm Thursday evening, destroyed the two containers where the card readers meant for the conduct of the Governorship election were kept.

In his reaction, Governorship candidate of Zenith Labour Party, (ZLP), and deputy governor of the state, Mr Agboola Ajayi, pointed out that the fire incident coming barely four weeks before the election, should worry every responsible and reasonable citizen of Ondo State.

In a statement by his Chief press secretary, Babatope Okeowo, the Deputy Governor called for the investigation of the incident, submitting  that those culpable should be made to face the wrath of the law.

“The question that readily comes to the mind of reasonable citizens is why did the fire target the store where card readers meant for the election were kept?

“The law enforcement agencies should ask if the intention of those responsible for inferno is to seek the postponement of the election, or the cancellation of the use of Card Readers for accreditation.

“The people of Ondo State are waiting patiently for the outcome of the investigation as they will not tolerate any ploy by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to subvert the wish of the electorate,” he added.