The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended Fred Ogboji, the Electoral Officer for Jos North Local Government Area in Plateau State, for allegedly missing some ballot papers for the ongoing rerun elections for Plateau North Senatorial District and Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency seats.
The repeat election in the constituency was characterised by voter apathy and a lack of ballot papers.
Some INEC personnel were held hostage at some polling stations by irate voters who wanted to vote but couldn’t because there weren’t enough ballot papers.
The situation led the electoral commission to postpone the re-run polls in 13 polling units of Tudun Wada/Kabong Ward and three additional polling units of Naraguta B Ward, all in Jos North LGA, until Sunday.
In a letter addressed to Ogboji by INEC Head of Department, Electoral Operations, Isa Abah Idakwo, on behalf of the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, which was obtained by our correspondent in Jos on Sunday, the commission directed the official to hand over his responsibilities to the next senior officers so that the commission could complete the remainder of the elections.
The letter dated January 4, 2024 read in part, “You are directed to step aside from office to enable the Commission to carry out a proper investigation and circumstances that led to the missing of federal House of Representatives ballot papers in 16 polling units in your local government.
“You are further directed to handover to Barrister Elekwa Onyemauche, the Local Government Supervisor, and the two RA Supervisors of Tudun Wada/Kabong and Naraguta B (E O Shendam and E O Kanke Local Government Areas, respectively) to coordinate and complete the remaining process. Thank you”
