BREAKING: Gunmen Attack Residence of INEC’s Electoral Commissioner in Kogi State, Details Emerge

• The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said gunmen attacked the home of its resident electoral commissioner (REC) in Lokoja, Kogi state
• The commission in a statement made available to Legit.ng, said the attack happened around 3:30 am today, Friday, December 1, 2023
• It noted that the armed men engaged security personnel in a gun battle for over 30 minutes until reinforcement arrived

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 6-year-experience covering politics and elections in Nigeria

Lokoja, Kogi state - In the early hours of today, Friday, December 1, around 3.30 am, gunmen attacked the residence of INEC's resident electoral commissioner (REC) in Lokoja, Kogi state, Gabriel Longpet.

INEC, the Independent National Electoral Commission, revealed this unfortunate update via a social media post.

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The agency said the armed men engaged the security personnel in a gun battle for over 30 minutes until reinforcement arrived.

Legit.ng understands that no lives were lost in the attack in Kogi capital.

INEC's statement partly reads:

"Property was destroyed in the ensuing gun battle.

"A team of combined security personnel have been deployed to protect the residence. This incident occurred a day after a mob besieged our state office.

"We call for a thorough investigation and enhanced security protection for our personnel and assets in Kogi state."

Legit.ng reports that this latest attack is coming exactly 20 days after the 2023 Kogi state gubernatorial election which was won by Ahmed Usman Ododo. Ododo is a protege of the incumbent governor, Yahaya Bello, and a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

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Melaye won't challenge Kogi election outcome

In a piece of related news, Legit.ng reported that Senator Dino Melaye, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Kogi state governorship election, stated that he would not contest the APC electoral success before the state election petition tribunal.

Melaye, who secured the third position in the election, asserted that the judiciary is no longer impartial but has become a segment of the APC.

'Kogi, Bayelsa elections not the best': Balogun

Legit.ng also reported that Tope Balogun, the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in Lagos state during the 2023 election, said the leadership of INEC ‘needs to have a deeper look into their commitment to entrenching a free and fair electioneering process’.

Speaking to Legit.ng following the completion of the off-cycle governorship election in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states, Balogun said INEC should be committed to entrenching a free and fair electioneering process. This, he said, will “restore hope in our democratic culture of ascension to power”.

Source: Legit.ng