By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Processor Mahmood Yakubu has heaped praises on the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar in particular and Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in general for not recording unhappy incidents or compromise so far in airlifting and distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials across the country during the elections.
Yakubu gave the commendation when he and the top echelon of the Commission paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) on Monday at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) headquarters in Abuja.
INEC Chairman also commended NAF for their cooperation in the areas 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 affirmed the neutrality and professionalism of NAF in particular and armed forces in general in discharging their responsibilities.
He explained that the visit was to inform the CAS that the Commission will conduct bye-elections and re-run elections in 26 States of the Federation.
Yakubu explained that 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.
The INEC boss maintained that it is in realisation of the 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.
Yakubu stated that, given the size and distance of some constituencies, the Commission 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.
Said he: “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” he noted.
Speaking further, Yakubu said: “Working with the Central Bank of Nigeria, materials are being delivered to many locations. 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 election will hold will be handled by the Commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria as has been the standard practice.
“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”.
Responding, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar assured INEC of it’s commitment, willing, able and ready to continue supporting INEC in providing security in addition to rapid airlift for the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials across the country.
The Air Force Chief noted that the successful conduct of elections is largely hinged on robust security and well-choreographed logistics supply chain management, adding 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 reminded Professor Yakubu of some outstanding bills which are yet to be cleared by INEC, maintaining that the settlement of those bills would enable NAF to serve INEC better.
