Damaturu – The Coalition of Political Parties in Yobe has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide helicopters for timely delivery of materials and supervision at the Nigeria-Niger border areas during the April elections.

Malam Bala Mohammed, the Chairman of the coalition, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu on Sunday that the
provision of the helicopters was necessary in view of the difficult terrain of such areas.

He said the helicopters would not only facilitate the transportation of materials but also stem the problem of non-participation of citizens in the elections as well as ensure safety of poll materials, officials and observers.

Mohammed said Nigerians living in desert areas such as Tulotulowa, Machina, Yusufari Yunusari and Giedam took part fully in the just concluded voter registration, stressing that special attention should be given to them in the run-up to the elections.

He observed that the lack of transportation to convey registration officials was responsible for the delay in the take-off of the exercise in the affected desert areas.

According to him, the 12 Toyota Hilux vehicles supplied to the Yobe office of INEC recently are inadequate to address the transportation hurdles associated with the conduct of credible elections, especially in the Northern part of the state.

“We want to ensure that nobody is disenfranchised; as such, adequate arrangement should be made forthwith,” the coalition chairman suggested.

He said the opposition political parties in the state had agreed to support the anti-thuggery measures initiated by the security agencies, noting that the parties had already warned candidates to desist from thuggery.

Mohammed commended the INEC resident commissioner for his effort at ensuring the success of the recent voter registration in spite of threats by political thugs.

“The coalition also notes the high sense of professionalism, patriotism and commitment of the press during the exercise,” he said.
(NAN)