By Sarah Sam Adda
The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to immediately ensure the payment of outstanding insurance benefits owed to NYSC members injured or killed during election duties.
The order followed a presentation by NYSC Director of Welfare, Omotade Ayodele Folorunsho, who revealed that insurance claims for corps members harmed during the 2023 general elections remain unpaid.
Two corps members were shot in Delta State and another in Akwa Ibom, leaving them permanently disabled.
Folorunsho noted that although medical bills were covered by the NYSC, the N1 million insurance benefit in the NYSC-INEC agreement has not been released.
He also decried the poor treatment of corps members during elections, including inadequate welfare and exposure to violence.
Lawmakers unanimously adopted a motion by Hon. Alex Egbona directing INEC to compel the insurance firm responsible to pay all outstanding claims within four weeks.
Committee Chairman Hon. Adebayo Balogun stressed that corps members face intimidation, harassment and deadly risks at polling units, insisting that no election is worth a young Nigerian’s life.
