By Gabriel Ameh
📍 Abuja | Media360Impact Report
With just five days to the 2026 FCT Area Council elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a firm warning to transport unions to ensure smooth logistics, stressing that delays or excuses will not be tolerated.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, met on Monday with leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) in Abuja to outline expectations ahead of the Saturday, 21st February election.
Describing transport as the backbone of electoral success, Prof. Amupitan emphasised that voting can only start on time if materials and personnel reach polling units promptly. The Commission plans to deploy 1,132 vehicles across 2,822 polling units in six FCT Area Councils.
“Our target is for voting to commence at 8:30 am. For that to happen, materials must reach polling units by 7:00–7:30 am. Vehicles must leave RACs as early as 6:00 am,” he said.
The INEC Chairman also directed Electoral Officers (EOs) to supervise compliance, ensuring no materials are diverted or mishandled.
NURTW officials, including FCT Chairman Abdullahi Dauda, assured the Commission that all approved vehicles would be deployed and monitored. Barr. Mercy Ibeh, Director of Legal Services, noted that dialogue and collaboration between unions and INEC over months have helped anticipate challenges and craft solutions.
