‘No Decent Wages, No Credible Elections’ — Sowore Threatens 2027 Boycott

‘No Decent Wages, No Credible Elections’ — Sowore Threatens 2027 Boycott

African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has threatened to join INEC workers in boycotting the 2027 general election if concerns over their pay and working conditions continue to be ignored.

Sowore made the statement while demanding a N500,000 minimum wage for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) workers, arguing that decent remuneration is essential to the integrity of the electoral process.

In a post on his verified X account, Sowore said electoral personnel entrusted with administering elections should not be expected to safeguard the process while receiving what he described as inadequate compensation.

“No decent wages, no credible elections,” Sowore declared.

He said INEC staff deserved a minimum wage of N500,000 and argued that electoral integrity should begin with decent working conditions and a living wage for those responsible for conducting elections.

“If these workers continue to be treated with contempt, I will join them in boycotting the 2027 elections,” he said.

Sowore also backed the right of electoral workers to organise and seek improved conditions of service, including through lawful industrial action.

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His comments followed remarks by INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan, who said the commission’s personnel were among the least-paid workers in the country.

Amupitan, speaking during a presentation on INEC’s preparations for the 2027 elections in Abuja, said the commission had begun taking steps to improve staff welfare and remuneration.

According to the INEC chairman, the commission had moved away from the conventional civil service payment structure, paving the way for separate electoral and salary structures.

He said better remuneration was necessary to strengthen accountability among personnel responsible for administering elections.

The commission has also been working on improved salary and welfare arrangements for its employees, members and Resident Electoral Commissioners as part of preparations for the next general election.

Sowore’s latest comments come as political parties and INEC intensify preparations for the 2027 general election.

The AAC candidate has previously confirmed his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election. His latest statement therefore amounts to a conditional boycott threat, rather than an announcement that he has withdrawn from the presidential race.

Sowore’s demand for N500,000 should also not be interpreted as a new INEC-approved minimum salary. The figure represents his proposed wage level for electoral workers.

The debate over the remuneration of electoral officials comes amid broader concerns about the working conditions of personnel responsible for conducting elections across Nigeria.

‘No Decent Wages, No Credible Elections’ — Sowore Threatens 2027 Boycott