Pay Insurance To Corps Members Killed, Injured During Elections – HOR To INEC

The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to immediately settle unpaid insurance benefits for National Youth Service Corps members who were injured or killed while working during elections.

The directive followed
a presentation to the committee by the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier-General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu,
that the insurance cover for Corps members who were Injured during the 2023 general election has not been paid

Represented by the Director, Welfare of the Service, Omotade Folorunsho, the NYSC DG told the House Committee that two Corps members were shot during the 2023 general election in Ukwani and one in Akwa Ibom state leaving them with permanent disability.

He said the NYSC had covered their own internal insurance obligations, but the ₦1million benefit agreed with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in a memorandum of understanding had not been paid.

He described the conditions corps members face during elections as unsafe and inadequate, recounting the deaths of 10 corps members during the 2011 polls.

He also noted poor remuneration, saying election duty pays ₦4,000 for training and ₦13,500 for election day, often without accommodation or basic amenities.

Folorunsho recommended that corps members deployment for elections be handled by the National Security Adviser for better protection.

Following his presentation, A Committee Member Alex Egbona moved a motion unanimously adopted directing INEC to ensure the responsible insurance company pays the affected corps members within four weeks.

Committee Chairman Adebayo Balogun said corps members remain essential to credible elections, forming the backbone of polling unit operations.

But he warned that they face intimidation, violence and bribery attempts, with some losing their lives in the process.

“No election is worth the life of even one young Nigerian,” Balogun said.

He called for reforms to strengthen corps members’ security, compensation, insurance, and welfare adding that Nigeria’s democracy depends on the young Nigerians who staff polling units.

“We owe them protection, dignity, and a system that values their sacrifice,” he said.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji