INEC Staff Petition Tinubu, Accuse Chairman of Abuse of Office

INEC Staff Petition Tinubu, Accuse Chairman of Abuse of Office

POLITICS DIGEST- Some workers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have petitioned President Bola Tinubu with claims that INEC Chairman Yakubu Mahmood has neglected the welfare of the commission’s employees across the country.

In an open letter signed by the workers who identified themselves as Concerned Staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Nationwide, they alleged that the electoral commission was rotting owing to Mahmood’s bad leadership style.

The group also alleged that the INEC boss committed several violations, including failing to implement the Review Duty Tour Allowance (DTA), failing to implement the 40 per cent Peculiar Allowance to staffs, and owing five years in salaries arrears for medical personnel of the INEC Staff Clinic.

The concerned staff accused Mahmood of acting “god in INEC” as no staff of the commission can approach him for any grievance.

“Yakubu Mahmood has turned into a god in INEC as no Staff has the right to approach him for any grievance. He sees staff as slaves, if you talk, you get victimized.

“The system in INEC is rotten due to the leadership style of Prof. Yakubu Mahmood. He claimed that INEC is independent, therefore he is not answerable to any authority,” part of the petition read.

“Prof Yakubu Mahmood has refused to implement the Review Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) that was approved by the former President Mohammad Buhari with effect from September 2022.

“Prof Yakubu Mahmood has also refused to implement 40% Peculiar Allowance to staff because we are on CONPSS which was approved by the former President Mohammad Buhari with effect from January 2023. His claim is that there is no money.

“Now Federal government has approved 35% for all federal workers to cushion the effect of subsidy removal, INEC staff will not get because of Prof. Yakubu Mahmood’s way of administration. He will say there is no money.

“Prof Yakubu Mahmood promised to increase Electoral Hazard Allowance at a meeting held with staff in November 2022 prior to the 2023 general elections but it has not been fulfilled. He has turned to falsehood.

“The medical personnel of the INEC Staff Clinic are yet to be paid their National Minimum Wage that was approved in 2019 by former President Mohammad Buhari despite yearly appropriation in the budget. He is owing over 5 years arrears.”

The concerned staff also accused the INEC boss of financial misappropriation, accusing him of allegedly engaging in contracts that only benefits him.

The group also called on anti-corruption agencies, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the financial record of the commission under Mahmood’s leadership.

The group also passed a vote of no confidence on the Mahmood-led INEC and called on the intervention of President Tinubu.

“There is serious financial misappropriation by Prof. Yakubu Mahmood as he concentrate mainly on contracts that will benefit him.

Relevant authorities such as EFCC and ICPC can be invited to check INEC financial record for confirmation.

“Prof. Yakubu Mahmood is the first person to get second term in office, but he is abusing the privilege given to him as staff cannot longer wait for his tenure expiration which is supposed to be November 2025. Many staff have died due to neglect of staff welfare matters.

“We the entire staff of INEC are disappointed over the leadership style of Prof. Yakubu Mahmood and we hereby passed a “vote of no confidence” on him. “WE WANT HIM TO GO NOW SINCE STAFF WELFARE MATTERS IS CRITICAL TO ANY CREDIBLE ELECTION” We are tired of Prof. Yakubu Mahmood abuse of office.

“We humbly request Presidential intervention in this matter so that the situation will not go out of hand as the INEC Staff may not want to go on mass protest over neglect of staff welfare matters occasioned by the abuse of office leader by Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, Hon. Chairman, INEC.”