Thugs Set INEC Office Ablaze As Commission Declares Governorship Election Inconclusive In Taraba State

                      The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Gembu -the headquarters of Sardauna local government area on Monday came under attack by election rioters.
The house of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Taraba State, Gebon Kataps, was also burnt.
The SSG however escaped unhurt.
The thugs reportedly attacked and set many homes including the SSG’s house ablaze.
                  Kataps, a PDP chieftain, alleged that trouble started after the collation of all the votes in the area which gave the APC a little lead over the PDP, but not good enough to upset the already released results by INEC which PDP was placed ahead.
Police Spokesman Joseph Kwaji, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) confirmed the incident said the police were investigating the number of homes razed and whether there were records casualties.

“Some youths in the area (Gembu) organised themselves and attacked the INEC office in the area, after which they set ablaze some houses,” he said.

Meanwhile, INEC Returning Officer for the governorship election in Taraba State, Professor Muhammad Kariey, has declared the results of the state governorship election inconclusive.

Making the declaration in Jalingo, Mr. Kariey said the reason for a supplementary election was because the total number of votes rejected and cancelled were more than the total vote with which the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Darius Ishaku, led the candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Aisha Al-Hasan, who is the runner-up.

The difference between the PDP and APC is 63,817, while the rejected votes from some troubled areas is over 100, 000 votes, he added.

A supplementary election will be held within 30 days.