By Eze Nnadi 

As part of it’s preparation for the conduct of a hit h free general election in 2027, the Independent National Electoral Committee (INEC), on Thursday, inaugurated its Electoral Logistics Committee (ELOC) 

Chairman of the commission, professor Joash Amupitan, charged the committee members to deliver seamless execution of the election’s logistics operations.

Prof. Amupitan, who performed the inauguration at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, said the exercise marked the beginning of the commission’s journey towards the 2027 General Election, with a primary focus on strengthening the pillars that support the democratic process.

He emphasised that logistics remains one of the most critical of these pillars and often the most challenging.

“Today’s inauguration of the Electoral Logistics Committee marks a proactive step in ensuring that the 2027 General Election is defined by seamless execution and operational excellence,” the Chairman said.

Prof. Amupitan noted that the success of any election depends largely on logistics, stressing that the credibility of the process is ultimately judged by whether voters find their polling units open, equipped and ready at the appointed time.

“Election logistics involve the intricate movement of both sensitive and non-sensitive materials by land, sea and air. It requires precision, security and timeliness. This is why we are starting early,” he said.

He announced Rear Admiral Jamila Malafa (rtd), a National Commissioner, as Chairperson of the committee, stating that her distinguished career, combined with the specialised skills of members drawn from military and paramilitary bodies, would provide the discipline and strategic oversight required for the task.

He added that the inclusion of security and logistics experts from various arms of service “underscores our resolve to treat election logistics as a matter of national priority.”

The  INEC Chairman outlined the committee’s terms of reference, which include assessing the total logistics requirement for the 2027 General Election and developing a comprehensive plan for the storage, distribution, deployment and retrieval of all election materials.

The committee is also to audit the readiness of warehouses, vehicles and transport hubs, including airports and seaports, identify gaps at all levels and recommend corrective measures.

Other terms of reference include monitoring compliance with approved logistics plans and schedules, identifying and mitigating risks such as transportation bottlenecks, shortages and security threats, and formalising arrangements for the secure transport of materials through road, air and maritime channels.

The committee will also liaise with government agencies and transport unions, coordinate with INEC departments and state offices, and submit periodic reports and recommendations to the Commission

Speaking on behalf of the committee, Rear Admiral Malafa said the Commission had over the years established inter-agency bodies to handle complex operational tasks and election logistics in each electoral cycle.

“Managing election logistics is the operational bedrock of our democratic process, directly impacting electoral integrity and public confidence,” she said.

She assured that the committee would drive a strategic plan, informed by a review of past elections, to ensure seamless deployment of logistics equipment and eliminate systemic and critical vulnerabilities.

By Nkem Okereh 

The Senate on Thursday, ordered a holistic investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of an NYSC Corps member, Etimbuk Daniel, who died at the NYSC Orientation camp in Enugu State

The Senate also urged a review of the state of health infrastructure in NYSC camps across the country.

Senator Aniekan Bassey (APC-Akwa Ibom North-East), has at plenary,  announced the corps members death,  while calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death 

Bassey said the Senate received with shock and profound grief the news of Daniel’s death while undergoing the mandatory programme in Enugu.

He described the deceased as an outstanding student leader and former Students’ Union Government (SUG) president of Akwa Ibom State University who had embarked on national service.

The Akwa Ibom Senator expressed concern over reports that Daniel died following complications from a minor headache after allegedly experiencing delays in receiving adequate medical attention at the camp’s clinic.

He said the incident raised concerns about healthcare services in NYSC orientation camps, particularly the availability of qualified medical personnel, functional facilities and effective emergency referral systems.

The Senate therefore mandate its Committees on Police Affairs, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, Youth Development and Health, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to probe the incident.

The Upper Chamber, which observed a minute silence in honour of the late corps member. further expressed worry that the incident is not isolated, but highlights a recurring pattern of systemic negligence, poor medical infrastructure, and absence of qualified emergency personnel and rapid referral protocols across NYSC camps, 

***APC ruining Nigerians’ lives with killer polices,  says ADC

*** We are cleaning Atiku’s mess, ruling party replies 

By Tony Chuddy 

As political parties continue to woo Nigerians  for votes ahead of the 2027 general elections, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) have  continued  to engage each other in war of words over the current  state of the nation

The two party spokespersons expressed their platforms position, during an appearance on News Central Television Breakfast Central on Thursday

While the ADC has accused the economic  policies of the ruling party  of being responsible for the current  hardship thst has befallen a greater percentage of Nigeria’s citizens,  the APC defended its economic reforms and policies, whike insisting  thst it is addressing the challenges that were caused by the ADC presidential candidate,  Atiku Abubakar,  while he served as the vice president of the country for eight years, under the administration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

The National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdulahi, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of ruining Nigerians’ lives through its policies, .

Abdullahi argued that the Tinubu administration’s policies had worsened the economic and social conditions of Nigerians, insisting that the government should admit its shortcomings and change direction.

He likened the administration’s efforts to fixing a pothole but ending up damaging the entire road.

“What they tried to do in the last three is like trying to fill a pothole, and in the process they end up leaving the economy in a ditch,” Abdullahi said.

The ADC spokesperson argued that government policies should be assessed by their impact on citizens’ lives and livelihoods, rather than by official claims about their success.

“There is nothing wrong in admitting that your prescription or your solution has not worked,” he said, adding that the consequences of the APC’s policies could be seen across the economy, society and security.

According to Abdullahi, life had become increasingly difficult for ordinary Nigerians, adding that the ruling party had failed to provide a clear explanation of its Renewed Hope agenda.

“Nigeria is the capital to the largest number of poor people, and all you hear them is talking about this Renewed Hope agenda and you ask them, what is this Renewed Hope? They cannot come up with any articulated explanation,” he said.

However, APC spokesperson,  Felix Morka, took his turn to reject Abdullahi’s criticism, arguing that the ADC’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, contributed to the economic challenges facing Nigeria.

Morka accused Atiku of failing in leadership and alleged that his tenure contributed to the country’s economic decline.

He said, “Let me make it clear that my good friend speaks for a candidate who is easily the most critical actor in the economic sabotage of this country.

“Atiku left a sordid record of performance; destroyed Nigeria’s national assets; created the economic void that governments since then have been trying to fill; squandered 16 billion US dollars meant to provide electricity.

“When a man like that comes along to mount this sort of very cosmetic, emotional critique of a government that is trying to solve problems that he principally created, please, my dear brother, don’t pontificate

He  accused the former vice president of leaving behind a poor record in office and alleged that the administration in which Atiku served squandered $16bn earmarked for electricity projects.

Morka insisted that the APC government was now attempting to address problems created by previous administrations, including the one in which Atiku served, adding that that Atiku’s record in government should be considered when assessing his criticism of the current administration