By The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally inaugurated its first-ever Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), platform designed to strengthen dialogue between staff and management, with Lagos ably represented by Mr. Idris Olamilekan Rahman, Assistant Electoral Officer cluster in Alimosho Local Government Area.
The inauguration, which took place at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, was presided over by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, alongside National Commissioners, Directors, a representative of the Minister of Labour and Productivity, and elected JCC members drawn from across Nigeria.
For Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub and the state with the highest number of registered voters, Idris Rahman now carries the mantle as the sole representative of all INEC staff in the state within the JCC framework. His role positions him as the voice of Lagos staff, bridging communication between employees and management, and ensuring that concerns are addressed through dialogue rather than confrontation.
The JCC, described by INEC as a “non-union but consultative platform,” serves as the intermediary body between staff and management to settle conflicts, promote welfare, and foster institutional harmony. Prof. Yakubu, in his keynote address, reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to staff welfare, promising timely salary payments and announcing plans to clear arrears of the new national minimum wage between now and November 2024.
“Staff matters are very dear to the Commission,” the Chairman declared, stressing that INEC has consistently paid salaries before the 25th of every month for over a decade. He further assured that outstanding arrears for January to March 2024 would be systematically settled in the coming months.
The inauguration was not just symbolic but a milestone in institutional staff relations, with the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, recalling that the JCC was born out of necessity after INEC staff were designated as essential workers barred from unionism in 2022.
For Lagos staff, Idris Rahman representation is particularly significant. As the state with the highest number of registrants, the weight of responsibility on Lagos INEC staff is immense, and their welfare remains critical to ensuring seamless electoral operations in Nigeria’s busiest state.
Stakeholders have lauded Idris’ emergence, noting that his appointment to the JCC provides Lagos staff with a strong voice in national-level consultations. His presence guarantees that the concerns, aspirations, and welfare of Lagos employees are not only heard but represented with dedication and professionalism.
In her acceptance speech, the newly elected JCC President, Mrs. Vera O. Awoh, expressed gratitude to the Commission’s leadership and pledged to ensure that staff voices resonate in management decisions. Echoing this spirit, Idris Rahman is expected to champion the peculiar needs of Lagos staff, ensuring that the welfare of INEC’s workforce in Nigeria’s largest state is prioritized in the Commission’s broader agenda.
The inauguration of the JCC thus marks a new dawn in staff-management relations at INEC, with Idris Rahman standing tall as the voice of Lagos at the national consultative table.
