INEC Suspends Jos North Electoral Officer

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended Fred Ogboji, the electoral officer in charge of Jos North local government. The suspension, announced by Isah Idakwo, head of electoral operations at the INEC Plateau state office, is part of an ongoing investigation into the disappearance of ballot papers from 16 polling units in Jos North.

Yesterday, some polling units in the Plateau North rerun elections experienced incomplete proceedings due to the lack of electoral materials.

“Things like this have been happening, and nothing has been done,” David Dabit, a leader of Labour Party in the area said. “We have been calling the Electoral officer for Jos North LGA, Fred Ogboji, but he won’t pick up his calls. We want to tell you that every time there is an election in Jos North  LGA; there used to be a problem in Tudun Wada/Kabong Ward and Naraguta B Ward. Why must it be so?”

“Thoroughly, let something be done about it because we can not continue like this going forward,” Dabit added.

INEC has responded by rescheduling the elections, which are presently underway in units within Tudun Wada/Kabong and Naraguta wards. Ogboji has been instructed to hand over to Elekwa Onyemauche, the local government supervisor.

“No matter what it will take, the commission will ensure that the right thing is done, and no constituency will feel disenfranchised because every eligible voter will participate,” Oliver Agundu, the Plateau state INEC resident electoral officer, said.