INEC: We’re Not Aware of NURTW Faction in Osun, Logistics for Aug 15 Poll Intact

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Osun State says it is not aware of any faction within the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in the state as preparations for the August 15 governorship election continue.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Oluwatoyin Babalola, made the clarification on Sunday during a town hall meeting organized by the Civil Society Network on Election Integrity in Osogbo.

Babalola explained that the commission deals directly with the national leadership of the NURTW on election logistics, in line with an existing Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, between both parties.

“INEC has maintained communication with representatives of the union’s national leadership and has not received any information suggesting the existence of factions within the organization,” she said.

“For the transportation of our materials and personnel, we rely on the NURTW and NARTO. The national leadership has an MOU with the Commission, and we have been communicating with a representative of the national leadership. We’re not aware of any factionalisation.”

The REC disclosed that INEC had already conducted training sessions for transport providers across all local government areas in Osun State.

She added that the commission would inspect vehicles to be deployed for election duties on Tuesday and Wednesday preceding the governorship poll to ensure they meet the standards stipulated in the agreement.

“Part of the MOU is that they must provide us with good vehicles, and we have scheduled the Tuesday and Wednesday preceding the election to inspect those vehicles,” Babalola said.

The clarification comes amid a leadership dispute within the Osun State chapter of the NURTW, where the national leadership recently constituted a new caretaker committee following disagreements within the state branch.

INEC said its logistics arrangements for the August election remain coordinated through the national leadership of the NURTW and the National Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, despite developments within the state chapter.