Says CBN, NNPCL assure of cash, petrol supply
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
With 16 days to go before the presidential election, the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has assured that the general elections will hold as schedule on February 25 and March 11.
He made the disclosure after he briefed the Federal Executive Council, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Mahmood explained that the briefing of the council was keeping with tradition.
He outlined measures the commission has taken to address the challenges that may affect the conduct of the elections.
According to the INEC boss, “It was a general briefing. On the eve of major elections, the commission is invited to brief the council. It is also invited to brief the council of state. The briefing with the council of state is going to take place on February 10.
“So basically, it is about the readiness of the commission to conduct the election. So, we took members of council through all the preparations that we have put in place for the election and the few challenges that we are facing and the steps we have taken to address those challenges.
“I can tell you two of these challenges quickly. The first one is availability of petroleum products. We had a meeting with the National Union of Road Transport Workers and they raised that as an issue of concern. Immediately after that meeting, we interfaced with the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and right now there’s a technical community working. The idea is for them to avail use the use of their over 900 land mega stations as well as floating mega stations nationwide for the purpose of stocking products to ensure that the commission doesn’t suffer any encumbrances in movement of personnel and materials for the elections.
“The second one is the currency issue. Again, we had an engagement yesterday with the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria. And he assured us that the commission will not suffer an encumbrances on that score. Fortunately for us, all our accounts, national and state are with the apex bank.
“So, we raised those challenges and we have found a solution to those challenges.
“So, be rest assured that the elections will hold as scheduled on the 25th of February for national and on the 11th of March for the states elections,” Yakubu stated.