INEC denies removing Igbo and South-South staff from election duty in Lagos

It is important to note unambiguously that all Igbo staff members were brought back to serve as collation officers for the upcoming elections, while SPOs (Supervisory Presiding Officers) kept their jobs.

Before Saturday’s gubernatorial and state assembly elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) denied reports that its Igbo ad hoc personnel had been relieved of their election-related duties in Lagos State.

While many on social media alleged that the electoral umpire had hauled off its workers of Igbo descent from overseeing the polls, INEC has rejected the accusations as “erroneous”.

“INEC, Lagos State, read with great surprise and concern on social media regarding the removal of all Igbos and South-South staff in Lagos State from participating as ad hoc staff in the state during the forthcoming Governorship and House of Assembly elections on March 18,” the head of voter education and publicity in Lagos, Tadese Adenike, said in a statement late Thursday.

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“Given that three elections were held on February 25, it has become important to dispel the false claims in some quarters and clarify that there were 738 Ad-hoc personnel (Collation Officers) employed during those elections.

“Because there are only two elections involved, the next Governorship and House of Assembly will only require the services of 427 Collation Officers.

It is important to note unambiguously that all Igbo staff members were brought back to serve as collation officers for the upcoming elections, while SPOs (Supervisory Presiding Officers) kept their jobs.