*** Sets up logistics committee

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced moves to address logistical challenges in difficult terrain and security-threatened areas ahead of the 2027 general elections.

With plans to strengthen the transportation and security of election materials across the country, the commission on Thursday inaugurated a logistics committee to develop strategies for the safe and timely movement of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials through road, air and maritime channels.

The commission appointed National Commissioner, Retired Rear Admiral Jamila Abubakar-Sadiq as chairperson of the committee.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, who inaugurated the committee in Abuja on Thursday, said effective logistics was critical to the success of elections, stressing that essential materials must reach polling units at the appointed time.

He said the committee would adopt a multi-agency approach, bringing together military and paramilitary institutions, security agencies and transport organisations to improve coordination and operational efficiency.

Amupitan said the committee’s responsibilities included assessing the logistical requirements for the 2027 elections, developing plans for the storage, distribution, deployment and retrieval of election materials, and auditing the readiness of warehouses, vehicles, airports, seaports and other transport facilities.

The committee is also expected to identify logistical gaps, monitor compliance with approved schedules and develop strategies to address transportation bottlenecks, shortages and security threats.

The INEC chairman noted that Nigeria’s diverse geographical conditions, ranging from the creeks of the Niger Delta to the arid northern regions, required flexible and resilient arrangements to ensure that election materials reached their destinations without delay.

He urged members of the committee to demonstrate commitment and professionalism, warning that logistical failures could undermine the electoral process.

Amupitan stressed that no Nigerian should be disenfranchised because of the late arrival of election materials, adding that early planning was essential to conducting transparent, efficient and credible elections.

Speaking, Abubakar-Sadiq, described election logistics as the operational foundation of the democratic process, with direct implications for electoral integrity and public confidence.

She said the committee would focus on strategic airlift and cargo planning, identifying operational bottlenecks, coordinating land and maritime transportation, and mapping difficult terrain, security-challenged areas and locations prone to crises.

Abubakar-Sadiq added that appropriate transportation and security arrangements would be developed for high-risk locations, while the committee would submit a comprehensive report containing actionable recommendations and strict operational timelines.

She proposed the establishment of specialised subcommittees to oversee airlift operations, land transportation, maritime transportation, as well as storage and security arrangements.

According to her, the subcommittees would address the specific requirements of each mode of transportation and ensure that election materials were delivered safely and on schedule.

As part of the arrangements, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will receive, store and distribute sensitive election materials through its nationwide branch network.

The commissioner emphasised that effective cooperation among government agencies and other stakeholders would be crucial to the committee’s assignment.

The committee is also expected to work with government institutions, INEC state offices, transport unions and other stakeholders to facilitate the secure and efficient movement of election materials before and during the polls.

The inauguration attracted INEC national commissioners, representatives of the Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs, and officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and Nigerian Ports Authority.

Other stakeholders included representatives of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers, the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, maritime workers and other transport and security institutions.

The establishment of the committee marks an early step in INEC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, as the commission seeks to minimise logistical challenges that could delay voting, particularly in hard-to-reach and security-threatened locations.

The committee’s recommendations and operational timelines are expected to guide coordination among security agencies, transport operators and other institutions supporting the electoral process.