The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to establish a joint committee with the Nigerian Air Force to strengthen logistics and security arrangements for upcoming elections in the country.
INEC Chairman, Joash Ojo Amupitan, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving the Chief of the Air Staff, Kelvin Aneke, who paid a courtesy visit to the commission.
Amupitan said the committee would enhance coordination between INEC and the Air Force ahead of key electoral activities, including off-cycle governorship elections and the 2027 Nigerian general elections.
“As part of this collaboration and partnership, we are going to set up a team so that we can work together ahead of time. The failure to plan is planning to fail,” he said.
The INEC chairman noted that the commission had already released the timetable for the 2027 elections. According to him, presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will take place on February 16, 2027.
He also revealed that the commission would conduct the Ekiti State governorship election in June and the Osun State governorship election on August 15, describing both as important exercises ahead of the general polls.
Amupitan stressed that elections could only be successful when backed by efficient logistics and security systems. He said the commission intends to deepen its collaboration with the military, especially in transporting materials and accessing difficult terrains.
“An election can only be as good as its logistics. Given the challenges we sometimes face in moving materials and personnel across the country, it has become necessary to strengthen collaboration with institutions that have the required capacity,” he added.
He commended the Nigerian Air Force for its support during previous elections, including the Anambra governorship election, the FCT Area Council elections, and several by-elections nationwide.
Earlier, Aneke reaffirmed the Air Force’s commitment to supporting INEC in ensuring the successful conduct of elections across the country.
He noted that the Air Force had consistently assisted the commission in transporting electoral materials and personnel, particularly to remote and difficult-to-reach locations.
“At present, we are working to ensure that all our heavy haulage and medium-lift aircraft undergo periodic maintenance so that by the time you need us, they will be ready,” he said.
Aneke added that the Air Force could deploy intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets, including drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles, to assist with election monitoring and help detect potential security threats.
“These assets can remain airborne for long periods to monitor areas of interest and assist relevant agencies in responding quickly to security challenges,” he said.
He further assured that the Nigerian Air Force would continue collaborating with other security agencies to protect electoral infrastructure such as INEC offices, collation centres, and logistics hubs, noting that the visit was aimed at strengthening the existing partnership between the two institutions in safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic process.
