The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has initiated the airlift of election materials for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Benin, Edo State, in preparation for the upcoming governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024. This operation is part of a coordinated effort to ensure the timely and secure delivery of sensitive materials essential for the smooth conduct of the elections.
In a statement released by Kabiru Ali, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information for the NAF, the airlift operation underscores the collaboration between the NAF and INEC. Ali emphasized that this partnership aims to facilitate logistics and promote a peaceful electoral process in Edo State. He stated, “The airlift operation demonstrates our commitment to supporting INEC in delivering electoral materials securely and efficiently.”
This initiative follows a recent meeting between Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar and INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu, where they discussed the importance of logistical support for the upcoming elections. Abubakar reiterated NAF’s dedication to providing airlift capabilities to ensure that electoral materials reach their destinations without delay.
The successful conduct of elections is heavily reliant on effective logistics. The movement of election materials, which includes ballot papers, voting machines, and other essential items, is critical to maintaining the integrity and transparency of the electoral process. With Nigeria’s diverse geography and varying infrastructure conditions, airlifting these materials can significantly expedite their delivery to remote areas.
Historically, logistical challenges have hindered electoral processes in Nigeria. The partnership between INEC and NAF aims to mitigate these issues by leveraging military resources to enhance operational efficiency. This collaboration is particularly vital given the scale of the upcoming election, which involves multiple polling units across Edo State.