Oshiomhole Slams Proposed INEC Hospital, Calls It a Costly Distraction from Electoral Duties

|By Chinwendu Nwani

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has faulted the plan by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to establish a dedicated hospital, warning that the proposal amounts to a diversion from the commission’s core responsibility of managing elections.

Speaking during a recent session, Oshiomhole questioned the rationale behind the initiative, asking pointedly whether INEC staff suffer from any “special disease” that warrants a standalone medical facility. He argued that running a hospital in Abuja makes little sense for an agency with offices spread across all 36 states of the federation.

Oshiomhole stressed that it would be impractical for INEC staff based in cities such as Benin or Lagos to travel to Abuja solely for medical care. According to him, the commission’s priority should remain the conduct of free, fair and credible elections, not healthcare delivery.

The senator further maintained that providing medical services falls squarely within the mandate of the Ministry of Health, not INEC. He cautioned against the commission venturing into specialised healthcare, questioning whether it would employ experts for every possible medical condition, including prostate-related ailments or paediatric care.

Describing the proposal as “goal displacement,” Oshiomhole warned that the financial and logistical burden of running a hospital could weaken INEC’s capacity to effectively manage elections. He urged the electoral body to refocus on its statutory mandate and instead collaborate with the Ministry of Health to address the medical needs of its personnel.