By Habeeb Ibrahim
Concerned staff members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have publicly called out Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu, accusing him of failing to implement the National Minimum Wage Act 2024.
In an open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the staff allege that Yakubu’s actions have left them without critical wage adjustments, urging the President to step in and address the Commission’s leadership and welfare practices.
The staff, who requested anonymity, are urging President Tinubu to intervene in what they describe as “widespread neglect and high-handedness” within the Commission.
The letter, which has surfaced through a source close to BlackBox Nigeria, raises concerns about the INEC Chairman’s refusal to enforce the minimum wage adjustments stipulated by the NMW Act 2024, signed into law in July.
The staff allege that while other federal agencies have received the mandated Wage Award and intervention funds of 25%/35% up to July 2024, INEC employees have not received these benefits since February.
According to the letter, Professor Yakubu attributes the lack of payment to budget constraints. However, staff express skepticism over this claim, citing what they describe as “unnecessary procurement expenditures” within INEC.
“Despite claims of insufficient funds, procurement for irrelevant supplies has increased,” the letter states, suggesting that such spending compromises staff welfare.
The concerned employees also report a troubling rise in staff deaths, which they link to poor welfare and perceived neglect by INEC’s leadership.
They argue that Professor Yakubu’s management style has fostered a work environment that “treats staff like slaves” and assert that his reappointment as Chairman has resulted in “grossly abused privileges with impunity.”
Furthermore, the letter accuses Professor Yakubu of frequent contract approvals that allegedly sidestep the Procurement Act 2007 and the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020.
They highlight instances where contracts for printing election materials have reportedly been awarded to companies outside their registered scope, citing an “Agricultural Company awarded contracts to print ballot papers or ballot boxes.”
The staff appeal for a “total overhaul” of the Commission, warning that INEC’s internal state could compromise the integrity of upcoming elections.
