The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has expressed concerns about the continued scarcity of fuel across the country, saying the development could hamper election day logistics. This is coming less than 25 days to the general election. The INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, made this known in a meeting with National Union of Road Transport Workers in Abuja on Tuesday. Yakubu said the commission would be meeting with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, to resolve any issues that might affect logistics delivery and personnel movement on election day.
He noted, “The Commission shares your concern about the fuel situation in the country and its impact on transportation on Election Day.
“The truth is that our arrangements may be negatively affected by the non-availability of products.
“For this reason, the Commission will this afternoon meet with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to look into ways to ameliorate the situation.
“I wish to assure Nigerians that we will continue to engage every national institution for the success of the 2023 General Election.”
He noted that the meeting with the NURTW officials was to put finishing touches to the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Commission and the Union on 20th December 2022.
It would also see to conclusion the modalities for the certification of vehicles by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in the light of the emphasis the commission places on the safety of election personnel and materials.
According to him, the issue of logistics has been a perennial problem in election administration in Nigeria.
“That is why for three electoral cycles now, INEC has collaborated with the road transport unions to address the problem.
“For the 2023 general election, the Commission has included the Marine Workers’ Union of Nigeria, MWUN, for efficient maritime transportation.
“The time has come to stop all excuses and provide effective logistics to ensure hitch-free logistics on election day.”
“Nigeria should not wait for the arrival of personnel and materials at the polling units. Rather, we should be there waiting for the arrival of voters.
“We believe that this is achievable. Recent elections have shown that working in partnership with the unions and other stakeholders, we can achieve these objectives. And this is our patriotic duty and we should all make the necessary sacrifices in the national interest.”
Yakubu further stated that the commission was aware that the task was huge, stressing that election is the largest deployment a nation periodically undertakes and mobilization for vehicles for election is a large and complex exercise.
