African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has called for a minimum monthly wage of ₦500,000 for staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), arguing that decent remuneration is important to the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
Sowore made the demand in a post on his verified X account, saying electoral workers should be adequately compensated because they play a crucial role in administering elections.
He said, “No decent wages, no credible elections,” while insisting that INEC staff should receive better working conditions and a living wage.
The AAC candidate’s position followed remarks by INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, who recently said the commission’s staff were among the least-paid workers in Nigeria.
Amupitan disclosed that INEC had taken steps to improve staff welfare, including removing the commission from the regular civil service salary structure and establishing a separate electoral and salary structure.
According to Amupitan, better remuneration is necessary to enable the commission to demand greater accountability from its personnel as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Sowore also said INEC workers have the right to organise and demand improved working conditions through lawful means. He further stated that he would support them if they chose to take industrial action over their welfare.
The ₦500,000 figure is Sowore’s proposed minimum wage for INEC staff and does not represent an announced new salary structure by the electoral commission. INEC has, however, said it is prioritising staff welfare as part of broader reforms ahead of the 2027 elections.
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