Bye elections: INEC seeks NAF support

Ahead of Saturday’s conduct of rerun and bye-elections in 26 States of the federation, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sought the support of the Nigerian Air Force to expeditiously deliver materials to three locations in the North East, South East and 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 evacuation of the materials from the focal airports to the States where the election will be held will be handled by the Commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria as has been the standard practice,” Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the disclosure on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar in Abuja.

Yakubu, however, declared that a total of 4,613,291 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) have been collected by eligible voters.

Professor Yakubu who said his visit was to secure logistics support from the NAF explained that 4,613,291 Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) have been collected out of the 4,904,627 registered voters.

He said: “This weekend, the Commission will conduct bye-elections and re-run elections in 26 States of the Federation.

“In nine States, two Senators, four members of the House of Representatives and three members of State Houses of Assembly will be elected in bye-elections to replace members who passed on or resigned their memberships of the National and State Assemblies.

“In other States, re-run elections will take place at designated constituencies or Polling Units as ordered by the Election Appeal Tribunals.

“In all, the elections will 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.

“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.

“Thereafter, the inspection and movement of all materials to the various Local Government Areas and beyond will be done with the full participation of all stakeholders, particularly agents of political parties and candidates, observers and the media in a transparent manner.”
In his response, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, assured his guest of his support as he noted that successful conduct of elections by the electoral umpire is largely hinged on robust security and well-choreographed logistics supply chain management.

“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.”