With just days before the Edo State gubernatorial election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is facing new logistical hurdles due to the ongoing nationwide petrol crisis.
The situation has led INEC to increase its financial support to transport unions to ensure the smooth transportation of sensitive election materials. The rise in fuel prices has affected the operational costs of transport companies, prompting this financial adjustment.
INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, revealed that a recent meeting between INEC, led by Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and representatives from transport unions resulted in agreements on key logistics. The unions involved include the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN).
Oyekanmi noted that the unions have pledged their cooperation to ensure the election’s success. INEC’s revised funding aims to address concerns about potential delays by ensuring timely distribution of materials such as ballot boxes and voting machines.
A new Memorandum of Understanding has been established to formalize this support, demonstrating INEC’s commitment to overcoming the logistical challenges presented by the fuel crisis.