By Our Reporters in Abuja
As the campaigns for 2027 general elections commenced officially on Wednesday, 19th August, 2026, setting off a 150-day countdown to the polls, the Accident Prevention and Rescue Initiative (APRI) has called on relevant road traffic regulation agencies in the country to improve traffic management, before, during and after political campaigns and rallies.
The group bemoaned the sufferings motorists and commuters undergo during major political rallies, in the country which usually result to loss of lives, as well as productive hours in some parts of the country.
APRI, a foremost road traffic safety focused Non Governmental Organization (NGO), in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Amb. Fidelis Nnadi, and made available to journalists, cautioned political actors against traffic obstruction and reckless driving during political campaigns and rallies
APRI therefore advised politicians and their supporters to comply with road traffic safety rules, to avert avoidable loss of lives and property that usually occur in some parts of the country during political campaigns.
The group raised concern that past political campaigns and rallies in the country frequently cause severe gridlock and total chaos on the roads, as a result of long convoys of politicians, massive street rallies, arbitrary road blockages by partisan supporters, and aggressive driving by security details that violate standard traffic regulations.
According to the statement, “long lines of high-speed sport utility vehicles accompanying politicians often drive against traffic, force and in most cases harass other motorists off the road.
“During rallies supporters occupy major highways and intersections for open-air campaign events without proper crowd management or prior traffic rerouting.
“Most times, rival party supporters occasionally clash on major transport corridors, forcing commuters and commercial drivers to flee or get stuck in prolonged traffic lockjam. The loss of man hours by motorists and commuters is inimical to the nation’s economic growth.
“We demand stricter enforcement of traffic laws on VIPs and better designated off-road rally sites to keep public transport moving, throughout this campaign period.
