INEC Warns Ekiti Transporters Against Sabotaging Governorship Poll

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday warned transport operators in Ekiti State against disrupting logistics arrangements for the June 20 governorship election, declaring that any transporter who sabotages the exercise would face arrest and prosecution.

The warning was issued during a stakeholders’ engagement between the commission and transport unions ahead of the poll, where INEC officials expressed concerns over recurring logistics challenges during elections.

Leading the commission’s delegation, National Commissioner, Prof. Sani Adams, cautioned members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) against actions capable of undermining the credibility of the election through poor vehicle deployment or abandonment of electoral personnel in the field.

The commission also frowned at situations where transport operators allegedly failed to provide agreed vehicles or where drivers disrupted election movement over payment disputes.

Prof. Adams said, “This is a contract between Nigerians and your union. It is not about INEC. The entire world is watching.”

He added, “Please don’t bring vehicles that did not meet the specifications. If you have to rent the vehicles, please bring those in good condition and pay the drivers. We don’t want a situation where the drivers will hold us to ransom on election day insisting on being paid before moving.”

The INEC commissioner stressed that transporters must also fulfil the reverse logistics component of the arrangement by returning electoral officials and materials safely after deployment.

“Also, let them know that the reverse logistics is part of the contract. When they take our men and materials to the field, they are expected to bring them back to the office and not abandon them in the field,” he said.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, in his remarks, expressed concern over the lingering disagreement between the NURTW and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), warning that such friction could negatively affect the conduct and perception of the election.

He noted that transport logistics remained central to the success of any electoral exercise, insisting that the unions must work together in the interest of a credible poll.

According to him, the commission deliberately partners transport unions because of their nationwide operational reach despite lacking enough vehicles of its own.

Prof. Amupitan said, “Your elections can only be as good as your transport logistics.”

He warned the unions against collecting money for vehicles they could not provide, saying poor planning often created avoidable crises during elections.

The INEC chairman recalled experiences from previous elections, including the Anambra governorship poll, where logistical shortcomings created operational difficulties for the commission.

He said experience had shown that some unions often resort to renting vehicles at the last minute and eventually fail to provide the required numbers.

Amupitan also reminded the transport unions that both local and international election observers often assess elections based on limited polling units visited, warning that any negative development could damage the credibility of the exercise.

“We must not give them any negative thing to report about the elections. Let them look for and not find. Tell us what you can do and what you cannot do. Don’t lie to us,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the NURTW, the Head of Organisation and Industrial Relations at the union’s national headquarters in Abuja, Olayioye Adesina, blamed the disagreement with NARTO on claims that the association had no operational vehicles in Ekiti State.

He argued that any logistical failure by NARTO during the election would ultimately be blamed on the NURTW because of its dominant presence in the state.

Adesina, however, assured the commission that the union would honour its agreement with INEC and work towards the success of the governorship election.

He said the union remained committed to supporting a peaceful and credible electoral process in the overall interest of Nigerians.