‘It’s not true’ — INEC denies replacing trained ad hoc staff with ‘unknown individuals’ in Bayelsa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has debunked reports that trained ad hoc staff were replaced with “unknown individuals” in the Bayelsa governorship election.

A statement posted on X by PIDOM Nigeria, accused INEC of “doing everything within its powers to rig Saturday’s governorship election in Bayelsa for highest bidders”.

The social media account said individuals and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who were shortlisted and trained as ad hoc staff for the Bayelsa election were suddenly dropped on Friday night with their names substituted with that of some unknown persons and political party members.

“All the trained corpers were asked to go back to where they came from. This includes APO’s 1,2, and 3. INEC didn’t carry any of the trained APO’s. They only left with voting materials,“ the statement reads.

“INEC and Professor Mahmood Yakubu has destroyed the electoral process and institution in Nigeria totally. There is no remedy to this.”

However, in a statement on Saturday, Wilfred Ifogah, head of INEC voters’ registration in the state, said the claim is untrue.

Ifogah said those who were successful from the recruitment exercise were contacted and camped at the various registration area enters (RACs) a night to election day in preparation for deployment to their various polling units on November 11.

“I wish to also inform that the Commission has a methodical approach to the recruitment, training and shortlisting of ad-hoc personnel which it cannot afford to breach or sabotage,” the statement reads.

“Lastly, we also advise stakeholders and other citizens to be wary of similar unfounded rumours that are bound to be disseminated by persons whose interest is to undermine the Commission.”