- Ad hoc staff of INEC in Ondo State are frustrated over unpaid allowances weeks after the November 16 governorship election, threatening protests
- More than 17,000 workers claim they were promised payment on election day, but delays have left them without their promised compensation
Ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo State have expressed frustration over the non-payment of their allowances weeks after the November 16 governorship election.
More than 17,000 ad hoc workers trained and deployed for the election claimed they have yet to receive their promised payments.
Speaking anonymously in Akure, some affected workers revealed that INEC had assured them their allowances, reportedly less than ₦20,000, would be paid on election day.
However, they remain unpaid, prompting plans for a protest to demand their entitlements.
One Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) expressed disappointment, saying, “It is sad that INEC has not fulfilled its promise. They are not listening to us. Many of us are affected, and if this continues, we will storm the INEC office in protest.”
Another worker accused INEC of neglecting them after the election and urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and other stakeholders to intervene. “It’s been over two weeks since the election. If we don’t get paid before Tuesday, I’ll join the protest,” he said.
Responding to the allegations, INEC spokesperson in Ondo State, Dr. Temitope Akanmu, denied negligence claims. Akanmu explained that payment had begun, but delays were due to banking errors.
“We have started paying the ad hoc staff. The delays are linked to issues with their financial institutions. We are working to resolve these challenges, and they will receive their payments soon,” Akanmu stated.
He added that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Oluwatoyin Babalola, is actively addressing the situation to resolve all outstanding payments promptly.
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