Foremost election observer group, Connected Development, (CODE) has commenced payment of Stipends to her numerous Observers who participated in the just concluded 2023 Presidential and NASS election.
This online platform gathered that, CODE’s Observers recruited for the exercise started receiving bank alert of #2500 on Saturday as payment for work done.
According to one of the Observers, who goes by the name, Dr. Marvin Cares, he complained that the stipend of 2,500 being paid by CODE is way to low compare to what other observer groups are paying those who worked for them.
“I really want to express my displeasure at the meagre payment. We did what, we were asked to do with faith not knowing what we were going to be paid. At the end of the day. What did we get? Embarrassment!
“Going to the field on that election day was one heck of a risky job. What if anything negative has happened to one of us (Observers) ‘wetin we for tell our families or ourselves’? And at the end of the day we are getting #2,500. This is bullshit!
“This #2,500 is not even up to my consultation fee at the hospital where I work.I am very, very disappointed. I am going to ask for the admin number so I can transfer back the money to CODE” he lamented.
Similarly, Blexen another Observer said: “hahahaha, I swear… It is really annoying and discouraging. Shame no let me tell anybody watin Dem give me.”
[email protected] said: “The truth is that, CODE feel they helped us with the Observer work whereas they are gaining relevance and profits. CODE is international. The head office of CODE are oppressing the voice of the State Cordinators which is very bad. INEC must have paid CODE for the observation work. Observers from INEC are enjoying. Na INEC Observer I dey pray to be. INEC direct not Agencies that are making people suffer.” He complained bitterly.
They also alleged that, CODE did not provide the needed kits, mobilisation fee to Observers especially those who worked in rural areas.
This online platform, however, learnt that the 2,500 naira paid by CODE to Observers is for network data to enable them upload their reports on the CODE’s platform online.
The civil society organisation had in a statement prior to the 2023 general election said it will deploy 20,000 observers and leverage the Uzabe technology to cover the elections.
According to the Chief Executive of CODE and Founder FollowTheMoney international, Hamzat Lawal:
“Our approach is to improve intelligence gathering during elections by providing real-time reports, using technology. For this purpose we are deploying 20,000 observers who will work to monitor and authenticate reports from the field to ensure credible elections as well as establishing early warning systems in rural and vulnerable communities in the 2023 general election,” He said.
Get a premium automobile insurance coverage for your vehicle for as low as #15000 only and claim up to #3,000,000 in damages @Zenith Insurance To signup: WhatsApp/Call: +2349028313757
