INEC boss cautions transport unions against logistics failure ahead of FCT Polls

2026-02-16 - 17:08

By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA: Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has cautioned transport unions against a repeat of the “near-disaster” witnessed during the Anambra State governorship election as the Federal Capital Territory FCT Council polls approach. Speaking during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting with the National Union of Road Transport Workers NURTW and the National Association of Road Transport Owners NARTO, Prof. Amupitan expressed deep dissatisfaction with previous logistics failures. He revealed that during the Anambra election, the Commission was nearly frustrated by the provision of unserviceable vehicles and a breach of the signed Memorandum of Understanding MOU regarding the movement of sensitive materials. According to the Chairman, the FCT election is a massive undertaking involving the hiring of 1,132 vehicles to serve six area councils. He emphasized that with 570 candidates vying for chairmanship and vice-chairmanship positions across 2,822 polling units, the logistics requirement is equivalent to that of a full-scale state election. Amupitan stressed that the credibility of any election is inextricably linked to the efficiency of its logistics, adding that the polling units represent the foundation of the electoral process, and any delay in the movement of materials from Registration Area Centres RACs to these units would be viewed as a failure. The INEC boss directed that all vehicles must be deployed to the RACs by Friday to ensure that personnel and materials are ready for movement as early as 6am on election day. This timeline, he explained, is essential to meet the 8am target for the commencement of accreditation and voting. While acknowledging the long-standing partnership between the commission and the unions, the Chairman warned that INEC would no longer entertain excuses, whether “genuine, deliberate, or thoughtless.” He reminded the union leaders that as the heart of the nation, the FCT is under global scrutiny, and any sabotage or negligence in the transport of materials would have significant national consequences. Amupitan urged the unions to see their role as a sacrifice for national development rather than a mere commercial transaction, noting that their cooperation is vital to preventing the hijacking of materials and ensuring a hitch-free exercise.