Nigeria’s air force has delivered sensitive election materials ahead of a governorship poll in Ekiti State and a series of legislative by-elections scheduled for June 20, authorities said on Wednesday.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it transported the materials at the request of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure their timely and secure distribution before voting begins.

In a statement, NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the operation was conducted between June 15 and 16 and covered preparations for the Ekiti governorship election as well as senatorial and federal constituency by-elections in several states.

The by-elections are scheduled to take place in the Enugu North Senatorial District of Enugu State, Nasarawa North Senatorial District of Nasarawa State, and Rivers South East Senatorial District of Rivers State.

Federal constituency by-elections will also be held in Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency in Kano State and Zuru/Shanga Federal Constituency in Kebbi State.

According to the air force, the sensitive materials were flown from Abuja to designated airports in Enugu, Rivers and Kano states using its airlift assets.

“Leveraging its strategic airlift capabilities, the NAF transported the sensitive electoral materials from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to designated airports in Enugu, Rivers and Kano States, ensuring that INEC received the materials within the stipulated timeline ahead of the elections,” Ejodame said.

The operation forms part of a longstanding collaboration between the military and Nigeria’s electoral commission aimed at facilitating the logistics required for major elections.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, praised personnel involved in the mission, describing the successful delivery as evidence of the military’s support for democratic institutions.

“The successful airlift underscores the Service’s unwavering commitment to supporting democratic institutions and national development,” Aneke said.

He added that the air force remained prepared to assist civil authorities while maintaining operational readiness for national security duties.

INEC is preparing for the Ekiti governorship election, one of Nigeria’s off-cycle state polls, where 13 political parties are expected to contest.

The election will be conducted across the state’s 117 wards and more than 2,000 polling units spread across its 16 local government areas.

Election observers have repeatedly identified the timely deployment of sensitive materials as a key factor in ensuring credible and orderly polls in Africa’s most populous country.