Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed serious concerns over the persistent energy crisis in the country, warning that it was very capable of disrupting the 2023 general election.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu who is the Chairman of the electoral body raised the alarm during commission’s meeting with the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW) on Tuesday in Abuja.
He however pointed out that the commission intends to meet with relevant stakeholders like the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited to find solution of ameliorating the situation.
‘The commission shares your concerns about the fuel situation in the country and the impact on transportation on the election day, the truth us that our arrangements will be negatively affected by the non-availability of the product’.
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He further added that; ‘For this reason, the commission will meet with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited to see how we can ameliorate the situation.
‘I wish to assure Nigerians that we will continue to engage every relevant national institution for the success of the 2023 general election,’ the electoral umpire boss noted.
He also warned the transport union not to abandon ad-hoc staff, especially members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) that will be deployed for the exercise.
Yakubu however went on to assure of adequate protection from the security agencies during the election.
In another report, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi has said it is essential to allow the over 3 million Nigerian students who are eligible to vote in the February 25, 2023 election to exercise their constitutional right to elect their leaders.
Obi also expressed worry over the inability of some Nigerians in a few states, particularly in Lagos State, to collect their permanent voter cards (PVCs).
The presidential candidate stated this on Monday evening during a meeting with observers from the European Union, Election Observation Mission EU-EOM.
While answering a question on the fate of about 3.5 million students who may not be able to exercise their voting right because of schooling activities, Obi said “I am sure INEC will do the right thing. I am sure the universities will give them the break to go and vote.