Ondo poll: INEC blames bank as ad hoc staff demand payment
CHIGOZIE AMADI
Ad hoc staff recruited by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State have accused the commission of failing to pay their allowances, 22 days after the poll.
The workers, numbering over 17,000, expressed frustration over the delayed payments despite promises made by INEC to disburse their allowances shortly after the election.
One of the affected workers, who identified himself only as Ade, shared his grievances on Sunday, alleging that INEC had not communicated with them about the delay.
“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. It is sad that INEC is yet to fulfil its promise of paying us.
“Those attending to us at the commission’s office are refusing to listen to our plight. We are demanding the payment of our allowance, or we will storm the INEC office massively starting from this week,” he warned.
Another ad hoc worker, who preferred to remain anonymous, appealed to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to intervene and resolve the matter.
“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. INEC should do something,” the worker said.
In response, INEC’s spokesperson in Ondo State, Dr. Temitope Akanmu, refuted the allegations, stating that the commission had begun paying the allowances but noted that some delays were caused by banking issues.
“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 problem they might be experiencing.
“So, what we have is just pockets of challenges that are common with banking errors. The few ones who are yet to receive their payments will get them soon, I can assure them.
“The REC, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, is deeply concerned about this matter, which is related to banking errors. She has instructed that it be resolved as quickly as possible,” Akanmu assured.
Despite these reassurances, many ad-hoc workers continue to call for immediate action to address their grievances.
