Ondo Guber: 17,000 INEC adhoc staff protest unpaid allowances

A significant protest has erupted in Ondo State as over 17,000 ad-hoc staff members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) demand the payment of their allowances for the recent governorship election. The staff, who had been hired for the election, took to the streets of Akure, the state capital, to express their frustration over the delay in receiving their payment.

The protest, which began early in the morning, saw a large number of the aggrieved workers, many of whom were recruited from different parts of the state for the purpose of conducting various election-related tasks. These tasks included overseeing polling units, assisting in voter registration, managing the distribution of election materials, and performing other duties vital to the smooth running of the election process. Despite fulfilling their responsibilities, the ad-hoc staff claimed they have yet to receive the allowances promised to them by INEC.

The protesting workers, carrying placards with various inscriptions demanding their pay, voiced their dissatisfaction with the electoral body’s handling of their compensation. Many of the workers expressed their frustration at being left out of payment despite working diligently to ensure the success of the election. Some protesters claimed that they had been informed that the allowances would be paid shortly after the conclusion of the governorship election, but several weeks had passed without any disbursement.

The protest gained momentum as more of the ad-hoc staff joined in, and it soon became a significant public display of discontent. The protesters marched to the state INEC office in Akure, where they were received by officials who promised to look into the matter. However, the officials did not provide a clear timeline for when the workers could expect to receive their payments.

Many of the workers expressed concerns over the financial hardship caused by the delay in payment, with some explaining that they had taken out loans or borrowed money to cover their personal expenses while waiting for their allowances. The situation has left the workers feeling disillusioned and betrayed, as they had expected the allowances to be paid promptly, as has been the practice in previous elections.

The INEC ad-hoc staff members involved in the protest performed key roles in the conduct of the Ondo governorship election, including election supervisors, presiding officers, and other auxiliary staff. Their contributions were critical in ensuring that the election was conducted in an orderly and transparent manner. The workers were promised a fixed amount for their services, which included transportation allowances, daily stipends, and other related fees.

Despite the official nature of their employment, many of the ad-hoc staff felt that the delay in payment undermined their efforts and caused unnecessary distress. It has also raised questions about the efficiency of INEC’s payment system and its ability to fulfill its financial commitments to temporary staff. The lack of clear communication from INEC regarding the delay has further fueled the anger of the protesters.

In response to the protest, INEC officials in Ondo State have promised to resolve the issue as soon as possible. They assured the workers that the delay in payment was not intentional and attributed it to logistical challenges and procedural delays in processing the payments. However, many of the protesters remained unconvinced and have called for more transparency and accountability in the handling of their allowances.

This protest is not the first time INEC ad-hoc staff have faced issues with delayed payments. In previous elections, similar protests have occurred in different parts of Nigeria, where workers have claimed that they were not paid on time or at all for their services. These recurring issues highlight the challenges INEC faces in managing a large workforce for each election and ensuring timely and efficient compensation for all involved.

As the protest continues, the workers have vowed to escalate their actions if the matter is not resolved promptly. The situation has attracted the attention of political observers, civil society organizations, and stakeholders in the electoral process, who have called on INEC to address the concerns of its workers and ensure that future payments are made in a more timely and efficient manner.

In conclusion, the ongoing protest by the 17,000 ad-hoc staff in Ondo State highlights a critical issue in Nigeria’s electoral process – the timely payment of allowances to election workers. The workers, who played an essential role in the success of the governorship election, deserve to be compensated fairly and promptly. As the protest continues, it is hoped that INEC will address the concerns of the staff and take steps to prevent similar issues from arising in future elections.