*INEC Inaugurates Electoral Logistics C’ttee
Chieftain of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Sam Onuigbo, said the inclusion of top politicians from opposition parties into the party’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) bonds well with democratic practices anywhere in the world.
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, Governor Chukwuma Soludo (APGA) and his Osun State compatriot Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, were recently appointed into the PCC amid wild celebrations in some quarters.
Although flying the flags of opposition political parties, Onuigbo noted that the trio are very strong supporters of the APC administration and therefore merit their appointment into the PCC.
Onuigbo, who represented Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency in the 8th and 9th National Assembly, said the appointment was a function of democratic alliance forged out of solidarity for what he saw as administrative excellence by President Bola Tinubu.
He explained that some members of opposition parties passionately joined the campaign team for “continuous happiness” of Nigerians, a move he described as the essence of democracy.
“Democracy is a system of government that does not use force of the barrel of the gun but applies consensual (sic) and understanding.
“The bottom line is having a good government that works to provide the highest happiness for the highest number of people which Wike and others have seen and aligned with,” Onuigbo said.
He, therefore, said that the inclusion of some members of the opposition in the APC PCC was not only commendable but a reflection of democracy in action.
Onuigbo scored Tinubu high in the areas of economy and reforms such as the students loan scheme, Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the harmonisation of exchange rate and removal of fuel subsidy.
He said the fuel subsidy removal had produced additional resources for the Federal Government and sub-national governments to deploy in delivering dividends of democracy to the citizenry.
“Tinubu has placed Nigeria on the path of prosperity with increase in GDP, where the GDP is now outpacing the nation’s population rate.
“From refining 30,000 barrels of oil per day in 2023, Nigeria now refines over 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
“Nigeria’s foreign reserves has now hit over 58.1 billion dollars from 3.9 billion dollars in 2023,” he said.
Onuigbo added that there was also the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation established to democratise access to consumer credit for Nigeria’s working population.
He said those improvements in the economy had been acknowledged by global financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
On why the dividends of the global positive rating had yet to trickle down to the common man, Onuigbo said the reform will take some time to have desired impact at the grassroots even as noted that job statistics are looking up.
Onuigbo reiterated his confidence in the preparedness of Tinubu to enhance Nigeria’s place in the comity of nations if re-elected.
He commended Tinubu and Wike for the infrastructure milestones in Abuja, saying that the APC-led Federal Government has rescued the federal capital from the doldrums of infrastructure deficit.
INEC Inaugurates Electoral Logistics C’ttee
Meanwhile, Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Amupitan, has inaugurated the Electoral Logistics Committee (ELOC) for the 2027 General Elections, as he tasked members to ensure seamless execution of the Commission’s logistics plan.
Speaking during the event in Abuja, Prof Amupitan said the exercise marked the beginning of the Commission’s journey towards 2027, with a primary focus on strengthening the pillars that support the democratic process.
According to him, logistics remain one of the most critical of these pillars and often the most challenging.
“Today’s inauguration of the Electoral Logistics Committee marks a proactive step in ensuring that the 2027 General Election is defined by seamless execution and operational excellence,” the Chairman said.
Prof Amupitan explained that the Commission opted for a multi-agency approach in view of the complexities of moving men and materials across the vast and varied terrain of Nigeria.
He announced Rear Admiral Jamila Malafa (rtd), a National Commissioner, as Chairperson of the committee.
The Chairman said Malafa’s distinguished career, combined with the specialised skills of members drawn from military and paramilitary bodies, would provide the discipline and strategic oversight required for the task.
He added that the inclusion of security and logistics experts from various arms of service “underscores our resolve to treat election logistics as a matter of national priority.”
Prof Amupitan noted that the success of any election depends largely on logistics, stressing that the credibility of the process is ultimately judged by whether voters find their polling units open, equipped and ready at the appointed time.
“Election logistics involve the intricate movement of both sensitive and non-sensitive materials by land, sea and air. It requires precision, security and timeliness. This is why we are starting early,” he said.
The Chairman outlined the committee’s terms of reference, which include assessing the total logistics requirement for the General Elections and developing a comprehensive plan for the storage, distribution, deployment and retrieval of all election materials.
The committee is also to audit the readiness of warehouses, vehicles and transport hubs, including airports and seaports, identify gaps at all levels and recommend corrective measures.
Other terms of reference include monitoring compliance with approved logistics plans and schedules, identifying and mitigating risks such as transportation bottlenecks, shortages and security threats, and formalising arrangements for the secure transport of materials through road, air and maritime channels.
The committee will also liaise with government agencies and transport unions, coordinate with INEC departments and state offices, and submit periodic reports and recommendations to the Commission.
Prof Amupitan said Nigeria’s geography, from the creeks of the Niger Delta to the arid plains of the North, demands a logistics plan that is both flexible and resilient.
“We must anticipate the weather, the terrain and the security environment to ensure that no Nigerian is disenfranchised due to late arrival of materials,” he said.
He described the General Elections as “a marathon, not a sprint,” adding that the inauguration of the committee was laying the foundation for a transparent, efficient and credible election.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Rear Admiral Malafa said the Commission had over the years established inter-agency bodies to handle complex operational tasks and election logistics in each electoral cycle.
“Managing election logistics is the operational bedrock of our democratic process, directly impacting electoral integrity and public confidence.
“This national assignment demands speed, precision and coordination,” she said, urging members to approach the task “with patriotic dedication and professional excellence.” she said.
The committee draws membership from police, Correctional Service, CBN, Civil Aviation Authority,NSCDC, Customs Service, FAAN, NPA and others.
