Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State, major transport unions have assured residents and electoral stakeholders of their readiness to facilitate the smooth movement of election personnel and materials across the state. The unions also pledged to maintain peace and order throughout the electoral process.
The assurance was given during a media engagement with online journalists in Ekiti State on Wednesday. Leaders of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) expressed confidence in their preparedness to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in ensuring a successful election.
Speaking on behalf of the RTEAN Chairman, Comrade Adeola Sunday, popularly known as “Abokode,” the union’s Secretary, Comrade Dare Bukola Ibitoye, said the association was fully committed to providing logistical support for the poll.
He disclosed that 32 vehicles belonging to RTEAN members had been registered with INEC and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for election duties across the state’s local government areas.
Ibitoye explained that deployment of the vehicles would commence on Thursday, while designated drivers would undergo mandatory training ahead of the election. He added that Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s efforts in fostering unity among transport unions and commercial motorcycle operators had contributed significantly to the prevailing peace in the state.
He dismissed reports suggesting that they would be biased in discharging the duties given them According to him, most transport operators depend on daily earnings to meet their financial obligations and would continue their normal operations while supporting election-related activities.
Also speaking, the State Chairman of NURTW, Chief Ambassador Joseph Falope, reaffirmed the union’s commitment to a peaceful and credible election. He noted that NURTW members would assist in transporting sensitive election materials from the Central Bank of Nigeria to designated locations across the state, stressing that the union’s primary objective was to ensure the success of the governorship poll.
