Ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who participated in the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State have raised concerns over the delay in receiving their stipends.
At the weekend, some of the 17,000 ad-hoc staff expressed frustration, threatening to protest if their allowances are not paid promptly.
The disgruntled workers, speaking anonymously in Akure, the Ondo State capital, revealed their disappointment, noting that despite assurances of immediate payment, weeks have passed since the election without any funds being disbursed.
One Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) stated, “They are yet to pay us our allowance. INEC is not speaking with us or listening to our concerns. Many of us are affected, and no one is addressing the situation.”
Another ad-hoc staff member issued a stern warning, saying, “We are demanding the payment of our allowances, or we will storm the INEC office en masse starting this week.” They also appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and other relevant stakeholders to intervene, citing the harsh economic realities many are facing.
Responding to the allegations, INEC’s Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, Temitope Akanmu, refuted the claims. Akanmu asserted that the commission had processed and paid the allowances to the ad-hoc staff, explaining that any delays in receiving funds were likely due to issues with the individuals’ financial institutions.
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