Two casualties and the destruction of some vehicles belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have been recorded as a result of an attack staged by hoodlums, on the commission’s office in the Obot-Akara Local Government Council of Akwa Ibom State, on Friday.

One account had it that the deaths were as a result of a gun battle between hoodlums and security personnel at Nto Edino, the headquarters of Obot-Akara, during the transportation of some of the materials from the state capital, Uyo, which was needed for the now postponed presidential and parliamentary elections, previously scheduled for February 16, 2019.

Another account by Mike Igini, the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, contained no reference to any death but was rather focused on the attack on the commission’s vehicles.

Addressing a news conference in Uyo on Saturday, Igini said: “Some of our vehicles that were distributing materials were burnt yesterday and who are those instigating this? Politicians. This is rather unfortunate. Politicians, who are the greatest beneficiaries of this democracy, have become the greatest threats.”

In a statement provided to an online newspaper, the Peoples Democratic Party through its senatorial candidate in Eket, Dr. Chris Ekpenyong, attributed the violent attack to the All Progressive Congress.

Ekpenyong, who has provided a statement to the state’s Police, explained that he is well aware of the culprits behind the attack. He said that the APC led ruling party is ready to capture the PDP state by all means.

Prince Effiong Abia who coordinates APC’s campaign in the Eket senatorial district rejected the PDP’s accusations. “It is not possible. It is not thinkable and it falls on the head of logic to attribute the electoral violence to APC,” he said.