INEC most innovative but sabotage, corruption are biggest problem – Ex-REC Mike Igini

Mike Igini, the former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has lauded the agency as Nigeria’s most innovative public institution, while cautioning that corruption and sabotage threaten its integrity.

In an appearance on Channels Television’s “Sunday Politics,” Igini emphasized that INEC’s challenges stem from internal and external forces undermining its operations rather than a lack of innovative ideas. “INEC is the most innovative public institution in Nigeria, but the challenge is sabotage and corruption,” he stated.

Igini pointed to several reforms implemented by INEC, including the use of the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the Independent Results Viewing Portal (IReV), as steps toward enhancing electoral transparency. However, he noted that some political actors, along with officials within INEC, are actively working to compromise these improvements. He expressed particular concern over how politicians are infiltrating INEC’s ad-hoc staff recruitment, particularly through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), as a means to manipulate elections.

He warned that unless Nigeria addresses these political issues and safeguards INEC’s innovations from sabotage, the upcoming 2027 general election may be viewed negatively by the public. Igini stressed the importance of protecting INEC from both internal saboteurs and external corrupt influences that threaten the nation’s democratic processes.

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