Palpable tension enveloped Bauchi State political space yesterday following the interception of a truck load of 1550 ballot boxes anticipated to be used in next year’s elections. The transparent white empty ballot boxes were yesterday intercepted on the Darazo -Dukku road, 110 kilometres from the state capital, by state security operatives.
Described as non-sensitive INEC electoral materials, the boxes were found in a 24 feet container trailer with registration number plate, Abuja XE784 ABJ driven by one Mohammed Shaidu.
The consignment, according to Shaidu, was destined for Gombe State.
Rumour soon spread that the boxes were stuffed with thumb printed ballot cards. To douse the tension, the police opened the boxes in the presence of police, state security and INEC officials, reporters and representatives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Police Area Command head office Bauchi.
The state Police spokesman DSP Haruna Mohammed appealed to the public to always cross check their information to avoid being misinformed. Mr. Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, last night said there was no cause for alarm.
He confirmed that the boxes indeed belong to the commission and were being moved by the contractor to the states ahead of next year’s elections. Idowu said the contractors ought to have got security escorts for the consignment and has been directed to seek such escorts for the remaining consignment.
The driver of the truck said “about 30 vehicles carrying the same materials and quantity have gone to other states in the Northeast”.
He expressed shock for his ‘detention’ when all the security men should have done was to cross-check from INEC after “I presented my waybill”. Aliyu Sa’idu Abubakar, Bauchi State Organiser, Buhari Campaign Organization said: “we in APC have not accused anybody but we want to be sure that things are properly done; no more business as usual. Our people, progressive Nigerians, have to be vigilant.”
