From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has inaugurated the Inter-Agency Committee on Election Logistics, urging members to demonstrate dedication and professionalism to ensure timely delivery of materials for the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan who stated this today in Abuja, noted that Nigeria’s varied geographical conditions, from the creeks of the Niger Delta to the arid northern regions, require flexible and resilient logistical arrangements, stressing that no Nigerian should be disenfranchised because of late arrival of election materials.
He said early planning was essential to delivering transparent, efficient and credible elections, adding that logistics remains central to the success of the electoral process.
In her keynote remarks, the National Commissioner in charge of Security, retired Rear Admiral Jamila Abubakar-Sadiq, described election logistics as the operational foundation of the democratic process, with direct impact on electoral integrity and public confidence.
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Abubakar-Sadiq outlined the committee’s responsibilities to include strategic airlift and cargo planning, identification of operational bottlenecks, coordination of land and maritime transportation, and mapping of difficult terrain, security-challenged areas and crisis-prone locations.
She said the committee would develop appropriate transportation and security arrangements for high-risk locations and submit a comprehensive report containing actionable recommendations and strict operational timelines.
The Commissioner proposed the establishment of specialised subcommittees to oversee airlift, land transportation, maritime transportation, storage and security, to ensure materials are delivered safely and on schedule.
She disclosed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will receive, store and distribute sensitive election materials through its nationwide branch network, while effective cooperation among government agencies and stakeholders will be crucial to success.
The inauguration attracted INEC national commissioners, representatives of the Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs, officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NSCDC, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and Nigerian Ports Authority, as well as transport unions including NURTW and NARTO.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, was represented by Commissioner of Police Dr Abayomi Shogunle, as INEC said the committee marks an early step to strengthen operational coordination and reduce risks of delays that could disrupt voting in 2027.
