Sowore was reacting to a comment by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Amupitan, that the commission’s staff are the least paid in Nigeria.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has insisted that there cannot be credible elections if staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are poorly paid.
He made this known on Tuesday night in a post shared on his official X handle, where he advocated a minimum wage of ₦500,000 for workers of the electoral umpire.
Sowore’s comments followed an assertion on Tuesday by the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, that the commission’s staff are the least paid in Nigeria.
While presenting the commission’s preparations for the 2027 general elections at a World Press Conference, he said: “INEC staff are the least paid in Nigeria. So, we felt if we want to demand and hold our staff responsible, we should give them a living wage.”
Reacting to the claim, Sowore argued that there could be no credible elections without decent wages for those saddled with conducting polls.
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He warned the government of the day that if the anomaly is not addressed, he would be forced to join them “in boycotting the 2027 elections”.
Speaking via his verified handle, he wrote: “No decent wages, no credible elections.
“Nigeria’s electoral workers must be well paid. INEC staff cannot be expected to safeguard the integrity of our elections while being poorly compensated.
“INEC staff deserve a minimum wage of ₦500,000. Electoral integrity must begin with decent working conditions and a living wage for the people entrusted with administering our elections.
“If these workers continue to be treated with contempt, I will join them in boycotting the 2027 elections. They have every right to organise and demand better conditions, including through lawful industrial action.”
