RismadarVoice Reporters
October 7, 2026
African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has called for a minimum monthly wage of ₦500,000 for staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, arguing that improved remuneration is important to the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
Sowore proposed this in a post on his verified X account on Tuesday, following comments by INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, on the remuneration and welfare of the commission’s personnel.
Amupitan had said INEC workers were among the lowest-paid in the country and disclosed that the commission had taken steps to establish a separate salary structure outside the regular civil service payment system.
Reacting, Sowore argued that officials entrusted with administering elections should receive adequate remuneration and improved working conditions.
“INEC staff deserve a minimum wage of ₦500,000,” Sowore said, linking better working conditions and a living wage to electoral integrity.
He also expressed support for the right of INEC workers to pursue improved conditions through lawful industrial action.
Sowore said that if the workers continued to face poor conditions, he would support them in boycotting the 2027 elections.
The ₦500,000 figure is Sowore’s proposal and has not been announced by INEC as the commission’s new minimum wage.
Amupitan, however, said the commission was prioritising staff welfare and had moved away from the conventional civil service salary structure as part of wider institutional reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
