Sowore Demands N500,000 Wage for INEC Workers Ahead of 2027

Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has threatened to boycott the 2027 elections if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) does not improve the remuneration of its staff. Sowore called for a minimum wage of N500,000 for INEC workers, asserting that fair compensation is vital for the credibility and integrity of elections.

His comments followed a statement by INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, who revealed that INEC personnel are the least-paid workers in Nigeria. Sowore emphasized that electoral workers should not be expected to uphold the integrity of the electoral process while receiving inadequate pay.

He warned that if the welfare of INEC workers continues to be neglected, he would join them in a boycott of the elections. Amupitan acknowledged the need for better remuneration and mentioned that INEC had begun implementing measures to enhance the welfare of its personnel, including removing the commission from the conventional civil service payment structure.