INEC ad hoc staff to embark on protest over nonpayment of allowance in Anambra

Emeka Chiaghanam, Awka

Aggrieved Ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the just concluded general elections in Anambra State have made plans to stage a peaceful demonstration at the commission’s headquarters in Awka.

Their goal is to compel INEC to pay their outstanding allowances as soon as possible. Engr. Chidiebere Okafor, one of the leaders of the ad hoc workers, made this known during a media chat.

“We are going for a peaceful protest for our money to be paid,” he said.

“No ad hoc staff is happy. They pleaded with us to allow the rerun election to come and go, so that they will pay us.”

Okafor added that a week had passed since the election, and INEC had not paid the workers.

“Check the date of the election in February, and you would attest to how heartless INEC Anambra State is,” he lamented.

At the INEC headquarters in Awka to get the commission’s side of the story, the Public Relations Officer, Mr Kingsley Agwu, declined to comment and directed the reporter to submit an application letter for an interview with the Resident Electoral Commissioner.

However, the planned protest, scheduled to take place on April 26, 2023, has been put on hold.

According to Okafor, “the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Lady Queen Elizabeth Agwu, contacted the protest leaders and urged them to be patient. She cited the reasons for the delayed payment and assured them that payment would begin before Friday, April 28, 2023, for the first and second elections.”

Okafor expressed his disgust and stated, “We are human, and we have endured until now. If she failed to comply as discussed, we shall proceed with the protest.”