Ahead of the 2023 General Elections, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has solicited the support of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for the airlift of electoral materials and personnel.
This was disclosed in a statement by the NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet on Thursday.
The INEC Chairman made the request when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja.
Prof. Yakubu also sought NAF’s assistance in handling the delivery of outstanding election materials for the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States slated for June and July 2022.
He said his visit was aimed at exploring ways of ensuring effective collaborative efforts with other stakeholders to address issues related to poor electoral logistics management, in which the NAF has a critical role to play.
He noted that the law empowers the Commission to seek the support of the Security Agencies, especially the Armed Forces, in delivering materials for the election and the protection of election officials.
Responding, Air Marshal Amao assured the INEC Chairman of the readiness of the NAF to provide transport aircraft to enable prompt movement of electoral materials during the 2023 general elections; while also commending INEC for stabilising the electoral process in Nigeria.
