The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sought the assistance of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to expeditiously deliver materials to three locations in the North East, South East and the South West geo-political zones of the country ahead of Saturday’s by-election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the demand on Monday in Abuja during a visit to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar.
He commended NAF for its cooperation in the area of election security and logistic support for the timely delivery of materials during general elections, off-cycle elections, bye-elections, supplementary elections and re-run elections.
Yakubu said: “I want to place on record the neutrality and professionalism of NAF in particular and armed forces in general in discharging your responsibilities.
“There have been no unhappy incidents or compromise on the part of your officers and airmen.
“This weekend, the Commission will conduct by-elections and re-run elections in 26 States of the Federation.”
The chairman explained in nine States, two Senators, four members of the House of Representatives and three members of State Houses of Assembly would be elected in by-elections to replace members who passed on or resigned their memberships of the national and State Assemblies.
Yakubu noted that in other States, re-run elections would take place at designated constituencies or Polling Units as ordered by the Election Appeal Tribunals.
He said in all the elections would fill vacancies in three Senatorial Districts, 17 Federal and 28 State Constituencies spread across 80 Local Government Areas, 575 Registration Areas/Wards and 8,934 Polling Units involving 4,904,627 registered voters out of which 4,613,291 Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) have been collected.
Yakubu stated: “In handling such a huge national assignment, the Commission cannot do it alone. That is why we seek to mobilise every national asset, including NAF.
“It is in realisation of this objective that the law empowers the Commission to seek the support of the security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies in the delivery of materials and the protection of election officials as clearly provided for in Section 27(3) of the Electoral Act 2022.
“The elections are holding this weekend. Working with the Central Bank of Nigeria, materials are being delivered to many locations.
“However, given the size and distance of some constituencies, we seek for the support of NAF to expeditiously deliver materials to three locations in the North East, South East and the South West geo-political zones of the country. We have already indicated to the Chief of the Air Staff the specific locations and the tonnage of materials to be airlifted.”
The stressed that evacuation of the materials from the focal airports to the States where elections would hold would be handled by the Commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria as has been the standard practice.
He noted that thereafter, the inspection and movement of all materials to the various Local Government Areas and beyond would be done with the full participation of all stakeholders, particularly agents of political parties and candidates, observers and the media in a transparent manner.
Responding, Abubakar commended INEC Chairman for the numerous initiatives which have occurred under his watch.
The Air chief noted that the relationship between NAF and INEC has been anchored on shared objectives geared towards ensuring that good governance, stability and the rule of law reign throughout all the corners of Nigeria.
He stressed that the successful conduct of elections were largely hinged on robust security and well-choreographed logistics supply chain management.
Abubakar stated: “The Nigerian Air Force has been INEC’s dependable partner in providing security in addition to rapid airlift for the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials across the country. I assure you that we remain willing, able and ready to continue supporting INEC as we have always done in the past.
“At the moment, our C-130s are currently undergoing maintenance but we have other aircraft that can be employed to move sensitive materials. The caveat is that we need to move those materials a little earlier due to the capacity of the airplanes which we have available.
“I would like to seize this opportunity to remind the Chairman that there are some outstanding bills which are yet to be cleared by INEC. The settlement of those bills will enable us to serve you better.”