Drama as ‘Edo INEC staff” storms APC Secretariat over service rendered but not paid for

AGENE GODWIN,Benin

There was a mild drama Thursday when hundreds of protesters who claimed to be Adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) in the just concluded governorship election laid siege to the All Progressives Congress, APC, secretariat on Airport road,Benin City over alleged outstanding allowances.

The group, mainly youths, it was learnt, resorted to shutting down the party’s state secretariat following the decision of INEC to renege on an alleged promise to reward them, an agreement which, they claimed, was earlier reached with the party on their behalf.

Although, a source has it that the youths who were generally peaceful, were prevailed upon not to embarked on protest and were barred from granting press interviews, they however, became furious following purported refusal of their invitee, a certain leader of the party, to show up at the secretariat where they waited for close to three hours fruitlessly.

State publicity secretary, APC, Comrade Godwin Erhahon, said the protesters took their protest to the wrong place, adding that the party was not in charge of the gubernatorial campaigns of its candidate, Godwin Obaseki.

“We the state executive members of the APC are not aware of any such commitment between the party and Adhoc staff of INEC. We have asked those complaining to let us know who made the pledge on behalf of the party.

“We don’t know anything about it. By the time we know those behind it, we will be able to react. We know that Adhoc staff are part of INEC and not the party.”

However, in his reaction, the PDP publicity secretary, Chris Nehikhare said that the APC should fulfill its pledge by paying the protesters.

“I suggest they should pay those they promised to pay money. We understand these people were the ones they promised to pay to help them rig the election. A lot of them were also induced with financial reward if they voted for APC.”