The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended elections in two local government areas in Oyo State due to violence and disruption of the electoral process. The affected local government areas are Afijio and Ori Ire.
In Afijio local government, the electoral process was disrupted when hoodlums stormed the polling unit and destroyed election materials. INEC officials and voters were forced to flee the polling unit. In Ori Ire Local Government Area, there were reports of violence and intimidation of voters by political thugs.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo State, Mutiu Agboke, announced the suspension of the elections in the two local government areas. He stated that the decision was taken in the interest of the safety of voters and INEC officials.
Agboke assured the people of Oyo State that the commission would work to ensure that the elections are conducted freely and fairly. He urged political parties and their supporters to refrain from engaging in any form of violence and to respect the electoral process.
The suspension of the elections in the two local government areas has been condemned by political parties and civil society groups. They have called on INEC to take urgent steps to ensure that the elections are conducted in a peaceful and credible manner.
