February 2, 2023/CSL Research
As scarcity of fuel persists across the country, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised the alarm that the current fuel scarcity could hamper election day logistics. This is according to a news report by the Vanguard newspaper.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has however assured the electoral commission of adequate supply of fuel during the elections. The three major presidential candidates have also expressed concerns around the scarcity, hoping that the scarcity would be resolved before the polls. INEC noted that the issue of logistics has been a perennial problem in election administration in Nigeria, noting that the commission’s plans could be negatively affected by the non-availability of petrol.
Nigerians have been grappling with a lingering petrol scarcity since last year and long queues can still be seen in major petrol stations across Nigeria, with Lagos and Abuja mostly affected. Citizens have complained that long hours at petrol stations are impacting negatively on their productivity.
There have been allegations implicating the National Petroleum Company Limited of politicizing the supply process and making vain promises. The current official pump price is N165, ranging between N160-N185 across states but in recent months, there has been a surge in price, with the product currently selling at a high of N700 to N800/litre.
This is as marketers continue to sell above the government approved price. The impact is being felt in the rising cost of transportation, goods and services amidst dwindling household incomes. Commuters have witnessed at least a 200% hike in the cost of transportation, and this continues to have an adverse effect on the economy and threatens to negatively affect the smooth running of the 2023 general elections.
The persistent fuel scarcity has brought about concerns around the issue of the deployment of election materials and logistics ahead of the elections. With less than 24 days to the general elections, this fear has been exacerbated as there seems to be no respite to the current longrunning incidence of fuel scarcity in the country.
We note that logistic concerns have played a part in the previous postponements of elections in Nigeria. In a situation of scarcity, voter apathy increases, especially for those who have to travel long distances to their polling stations. Again, the movement of security personnel and patrol teams that will be deployed to provide security for the elections becomes a problem.
That said, the NNPC has provided assurance to INEC that there would be an adequate fuel supply. The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, stated that the NNPC has always supported INEC and they would make sure that fuel is made available for all vehicles that are involved in the electoral process. In our view, however, efforts should be made to ensure the widespread availability of the product before the elections and not just selective availability for INEC officials.
