Weeks after the Ondo State governorship election, ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are threatening to protest over unpaid allowances. Despite assurances of prompt payment, thousands of staff claim they haven’t received their stipends, leading to frustration and hardship. INEC, however, claims that some delays are due to issues with individual banks.
- Over 17,000 ad-hoc staff involved in the Ondo election are affected.
- INEC attributes payment delays to problems with some staff’s financial institutions.
- Ad-hoc staff threaten protests if payments are not received soon.
- The economic hardship caused by the delay is a major concern for the affected staff.
Unpaid Allowances Spark Outrage
Ad-hoc staff who worked tirelessly during the November 16th Ondo governorship election are now crying out over INEC’s failure to pay their allowances. Many of these individuals, who played crucial roles in ensuring a smooth electoral process, are now facing financial difficulties as weeks turn into months without payment.
Frustration Mounts Among INEC Staff
The delay in payment has caused significant frustration among the affected staff. Many had anticipated receiving their stipends shortly after the election, as per INEC’s assurances. The prolonged wait has left them feeling ignored and undervalued. Some staff members, who spoke under conditions of anonymity, expressed their disappointment and anger at the situation.
“We Were Promised Prompt Payment”
One Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) shared their experience, stating, “We were promised prompt payment, but weeks later, we are yet to receive a dime. INEC isn’t communicating with us and seems unwilling to address our concerns.”
Threats of Protest Loom
As their patience wears thin, the ad-hoc staff have threatened to stage a massive protest at the INEC office if their demands are not met. They are calling on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and other relevant stakeholders to intervene and ensure they receive their rightful compensation.
INEC’s Response
INEC’s Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, Temitope Akanmu, has denied the allegations, stating that the commission has already disbursed the allowances. He attributed the delays experienced by some staff to issues with their individual banks. However, the affected staff dispute this claim, emphasizing that the commission has not been transparent about the payment process.
The Impact of the Delay
The delay in payment has had a severe impact on the ad-hoc staff, many of whom rely on these stipends to meet their basic needs. The current economic climate in Nigeria has further exacerbated the situation, leaving many struggling to make ends meet. This situation highlights the importance of timely payment for election workers and the need for better communication between INEC and its ad-hoc staff. It also raises concerns about potential implications for future elections if such issues persist. Will people be willing to work for INEC if they cannot rely on timely payment?
What Happens Next?
It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold. Will INEC expedite the payment process? Will the ad-hoc staff carry out their threat of protest? The coming days will be crucial in determining the outcome of this dispute.
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