Ex-INEC Commissioner Mike Igini warns of sabotage and corruption threatening 2027 polls

Mike Igini, who previously served as the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has raised serious concerns about the condition of the country's voting laws. Speaking on Channels Television’s 'Sunday Politics' programme, Igini described INEC as the most innovative public institution in the country but cautioned that systemic sabotage and corruption are currently destroying the commission’s capacity to deliver credible elections. He asserted that the primary challenge facing the body is not a lack of technological or procedural ideas, but rather deliberate interference from both internal officials and external political actors.

Igini specifically highlighted the infiltration of the ad-hoc staff recruitment process as a critical vulnerability. He lamented that political actors have perfected the method of inserting fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members into the lists used to deploy election officials. According to Igini, this practice allows politicians to rig election outcomes by controlling the personnel present at polling units. He warned that if these structural weaknesses are not addressed, the 2027 general election will be subjected to harsh judgment by the Nigerian public.

Background

Mike Igini, who previously served as a National Commissioner with INEC, made these remarks while discussing the trajectory of Nigeria’s democracy. He noted that INEC has introduced several significant innovations designed to enhance transparency, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the Independent Remotely Verifiable (IReV) system, and Form EC60E. Despite these advancements, Igini argued that the integrity of the process is being compromised by those within the system and by politicians seeking to maintain power through undemocratic means.

The former commissioner also raised concerns about the broader legal environment in Nigeria. He stated that the country is currently operating under the rule of individuals rather than the rule of law, with existing statutes frequently ignored. Pointing to Section 97 of the Electoral Act, which forbids forcing candidates to back any specific political party, Igini observed that this rule is breached every single day. He expressed alarm at the erosion of democratic norms, questioning the motives of those who obstruct democratic processes despite the historical struggles undertaken to establish them.

Why it matters

The comments from Igini highlight significant stakes for Nigeria’s upcoming 2027 general election. He emphasized that the election will serve as a comprehensive test for multiple institutions, including INEC, the judiciary, and the politicians seeking office. Igini made the provocative statement that most individuals currently holding public office should be in prison, reflecting his view on the prevalence of misconduct among public officials. He linked the state of politics directly to economic performance, arguing that Nigeria cannot fix its economy without first resolving its political crises, as development is embedded in political processes. The warning suggests that failure to protect INEC’s innovations from sabotage could lead to a severe loss of public confidence in the democratic system.

What happens next

Igini’s remarks serve as a prelude to the 2027 general election cycle, urging for immediate corrective actions. He argued that the electoral body requires safeguarding against internal disruptors and outside corrupt politicians, whom he believes are actively trying to dismantle Nigerian democracy. The former commissioner’s assessment implies that significant reforms in staff recruitment and enforcement of electoral laws are necessary to prevent the predicted harsh judgment from the electorate.