Amb. Fidelis Nnadi
Edited by Blue Economy Magazine
With 150 days to the 2027 general elections, the Accident Prevention and Rescue Initiative, APRI, has called on traffic regulatory agencies to intensify enforcement and protect road users.
The NGO said politcal rallies are causing avoidable gridlock, road crashes, and loss of productive hours due to convoys driving against traffic and supporters blocking major highways.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Amb. Fidelis Nnadi, APRI cautioned political actors against road obstruction and reckless driving during the campaign period.
The group expressed concern over the hardship motorists and commuters face during major political campaigns, which often result in loss of lives and man-hours across the country.
“Political campaigns frequently result in severe gridlock and chaos due to long convoys, massive street rallies, arbitrary roadblocks by supporters, and aggressive driving by security details in violation of traffic regulations,” the statement read.
According to APRI, “long lines of high-speed SUVs escorting politicians often drive against traffic and harass other motorists off the road.
During rallies, supporters occupy major highways and intersections without crowd control or prior traffic diversion.
Rival supporters also clash on key transport corridors, forcing commuters and commercial drivers to flee or remain trapped in prolonged traffic jams. The resulting loss of man-hours is detrimental to national economic growth.”
APRI therefore urged politicians and their supporters to comply with traffic laws. It also called on authorities to enforce traffic rules on VIPs and provide designated off-road venues for rallies to ensure free movement throughout the campaign period.
