Retiring members of staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abia, have warned their colleagues still in active service, against complicity with politicians, to subvert the electoral process.
They gave the advice on Thursday in Umuahia on the occasion of the maiden send-forth ceremony organised for them by INEC Staff Welfare Association (ISWA).
The 34 retiring staff were being celebrated by ISWA in collaboration with the INEC management committee.
In their separate remarks, the retiring staff who reflected on their time in the commission, charged those still in active service to remain neutral and committed in the discharge of their duties.
One of the retiring staff, Mr Sebastian Udeaja, warned them to be wary of the antics of some desperate politicians and their agents, to protect the sanctity of the process as well as the commission.
He said: “We don’t want to live and die with our experience; we want to spread them out.
“Please don’t allow those politicians to confuse you, don’t place money before your job, rather put your trust in God in the conduct of any election.”
Also, Mr Bamidele Oyetunji, who retired as a Deputy Director, Publicity, urged the staff to remain blemish, seek knowledge and appropriate knowledge to excel in service.
Oyetunji, who hails from Oyo State, expressed gratitude to God for retiring meritoriously after 20 years of service in Abia.
The Administrative Secretary, INEC, Abia, Mr Kingsley Onyeri, congratulated the retiring staff on serving the commission with integrity, while urging those still in active service take a cue and tap from their experience.
“I want to assure you all that we shall continue to maintain a friendly disposition on all matters of staff welfare.
“But then, we are expected to reciprocate this gesture by being worthy ambassadors of the commission at all times,” he said.
The State Chairman of ISWA, Mr Collins Eze, said that it was the first time the association was organising an event in celebration of retiring staff either as a body or in partnership with management.
He said that the send-forth ceremony was organised for all staff who had retired since January 2024 till date and those who would retire between now and December 2024.
“We are here to accord respect to our heroes and heroines while they are living.
“We are here to prove a point and that point is that those who have served the commission meritoriously deserve to be recognised and celebrated,” Eze said.
Highlight of the celebration was the presentation of N100,000 cheque to each of the retiring staff, as well as washing machines to 10 of them who attained managerial position. (NAN)
