Fire guts INEC headquarters

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday said the fire that razed the office of its chairman, Professor Maurie Iwu, on Tuesday night did not affect its essential documents.

The Secretary of INEC, Alhaji Abubakar Kaugama, made this known in Abuja at the INEC headquarters while briefing newsmen on the fire incident which occurred at about 8.15p.m. on Tuesday.

Kaugama said the fire only affected computers, airconditioners, refrigerators and rugs, adding that there was no cause for alarm.

He said that INEC documents were not affected by the fire because they were concealed in fire-proof cabinets, adding that the main office of Professor Iwu was not affected by the inferno.

He said the computers that were destroyed in the office of Iwu's secretary were back up to the ones in Professor Iwu's office, suggesting that the commission would have no problem in retrieving its essential documents.

The INEC chairman was not around when reporters called at his office and had not made a statement on the incident.

About three offices including the visitors room were affected as the late night fire razed down virtually everything on sight in those offices.

At the office of Iwu's secretary which was affected, some burnt files and other property could be seen including cabinets which contained some INEC documents.

Meanwhile, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) on Wednesday in Abuja called for a public inquiry into the fire.

Senator Sa’idu Kumo, the National Secretary of the party, made the call while reacting to the incident during an interview with the News of Nigeria (NAN).

Kumo advised President Umaru Yar’Adua to set up a committee to probe the inferno with a view to ascertaining its immediate and remote causes.

He also suggested that the committee should recommend both preventive and disciplinary measures to forestall a recurrence.

The ANPP scribe described the incident as “very unfortunate and embarrassing on a day Mr President inaugurated the Electoral Reform Panel Nigerians to support the current efforts at repositioning the country.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/30082007/news/news4.html

Not surprised though-fire seems to be the natural ally to run to when trouble looms

So we now have an excuse when the Cort or Tribunal asks them to produce election Materials for evidence.
Oldest trick in the book.

Either way the election is a done deal, Yar Adua is the president

Mamajama:

Either way the election is a done deal, Yar Adua is the president

am not suprised

I would have preferred that fire to burn Iwu[b]ruwuru[/b]'s mouth (his instrument of lies and deceit) instead of those computers and rugs.

Are we sure Iwu is not instrumental to his office being razed down? We rather say Iwu raze down his office then.
Iwu is more PDP than PDP itself. God have mercy.