A former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mike Igini, has voiced deep disappointment over his ten-year tenure with the commission, saying he now regrets dedicating a decade of his life to Nigeria’s electoral administration.
Igini, who reflected on more than 30 years of public service, including his time at INEC, said his commitment to strengthening the credibility of elections was met with resistance from entrenched interests. According to him, efforts aimed at ensuring transparency and protecting the sanctity of the ballot often placed officials in harm’s way.
He stated that the mission to reform Nigeria’s electoral process came with significant personal risk, revealing that some officers who insisted on doing the right thing faced threats, intimidation, and in extreme cases, deadly consequences.
The former commissioner warned that ongoing discussions about amending the Electoral Act could further complicate the work of presiding officers at polling units. He noted that these frontline officials are already vulnerable during elections and should not be subjected to additional risks.
Igini also criticised what he described as contradictions within Nigeria’s political class, accusing some actors of publicly supporting democracy while undermining it during electoral contests.
He maintained that the future of Nigeria’s democracy depends on safeguarding the integrity of the ballot, stressing that genuine democratic governance can only thrive when citizens’ votes are respected and protected from interference.
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