“I so much believe in my staff and their welfare. I believe that good elections are not conducted by Direct Data Capture Machines (DDCMs) and Smart Card Readers (SCRs) alone. Good elections are conducted by human beings and that is why their welfare is paramount in order to get the machines to work and to deliver credible elections”.

This was the opening salvo by the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, in the Ibadan, Oyo State headquarters of the Commission where he interacted with enthusiastic staff who showered encomiums on him for improving their Hazard Allowances.

Professor Yakubu who interacted with the staff last week Thursday against the background of their preparation to conduct the Oorelope State Constituency bye election observed that none of the nullified elections, in the aftermath of the 2015 General Elections, was from the South West Zone. He commended the staff for their diligence.

Responding to staff complaints on cases of inequity, injustice, whimsical conversion of staff and lack of capacity building, the INEC Chairman pledged to look into them with dispatch. Said he: ”You’ll see what I will do. The real test is not in talking. You’ll see what I’ll do.”

Earlier, the National Commissioner in charge of the South West, Prince Solomon Adedeji Soyebi, had described the INEC Chairman’s visit to Oyo state, which is an entry point to the zone, as “symbolic and unique”.

He praised the INEC Chairman for the premium he placed on the welfare of staff as exemplified by the enhancement of the Hazard Allowance and prompt attention to promotion as and when due. Said Prince Soyebi: “He (Professor Yakubu) takes your welfare very seriously. I am not flattering him. But all we want is unalloyed loyalty and dedication to duty.”