In Ondo State, over 17,000 ad-hoc staff employed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the November 16 governorship election have raised concerns about unpaid allowances. The workers, who underwent technical training before their deployment, expressed frustration on Sunday, alleging non-payment despite earlier promises.
One of the affected staff, identified only as Ade, shared his discontent with PUNCH saying: “They are yet to pay us our allowance. As I speak with you now, INEC is not speaking with us. They are not giving us listening ears at all. Many of us are affected and they are yet to pay. Sadly, INEC has yet to fulfil its promise of paying us.” He further warned that the group might organize a protest at the INEC office if their demands are not met.
Another worker, speaking anonymously to PUNCH, urged INEC’s chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, to address the issue. “I believe the INEC chairman is not aware of this problem. If he knows, he should intervene because we don’t know why our money is being delayed. The INEC should do something,” the worker said.
Responding to the allegations, Dr. Temitope Akanmu, the INEC spokesperson in Ondo State, clarified that the delay was due to banking issues affecting some of the staff. He stated, “We have paid the ad-hoc staff who worked during the election. But we understand that there are some who have issues with their banks, and we are working with them to resolve whatever problems they might be experiencing.”
Dr. Akanmu reassured those affected that the payments would be completed soon. He added that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, was actively involved in resolving the situation. “The REC is mostly concerned about it, which has to deal with banking errors. She has instructed that it be fixed,” he said.
