By Balarabe Oshiafi
Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commenced the airlift of sensitive electoral materials to the State capital, Benin, for onward distribution to the various local areas in compliance with the schedule of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The airlift, which began on Wednesday, is to ensure that the necessary materials arrive promptly and securely for the poll.
According to a statement released by the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, Kabiru Ali, this initiative is a collaborative effort between NAF and INEC which is designed to guarantee a seamless logistical process for the elections, that will aid a peaceful voting experience for the citizens of Edo State.
Ali emphasized that the airlift operation is part of NAF’s commitment to upholding national security during the election period, stating, “The airlift operation demonstrates the collaboration between NAF and INEC, aimed at facilitating logistics and ensuring a peaceful election process in Edo State.”
In addition to airlifting materials, the Air Force is playing a critical role in enhancing the overall safety and security of the election process. The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, recently reaffirmed NAF’s dedication to supporting INEC’s logistical needs during a meeting with the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu. During this meeting, Air Marshal Abubakar assured that NAF would continue to provide air transport for the swift movement of electoral materials across the state
The airlift operation comes as part of broader efforts by the Nigerian government to ensure that election materials reach their destinations in a timely and secure manner. Given the critical nature of elections, INEC and the security forces are working closely to prevent delays or any disruptions that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
This collaboration marks another step towards reinforcing the confidence of voters and stakeholders in the transparency and efficiency of the electoral system. With security challenges being a significant concern, NAF’s involvement in airlifting materials not only accelerates the logistics but also assures the public of heightened measures to safeguard the election from external threats.
