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

The former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mike Igini, has described INEC as the most innovative public institution in Nigeria, but warned that sabotage and corruption are destroying the commission.

Igini made this assertion on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’.

He said the challenge facing INEC is not lack of ideas but sabotage and corruption from within and without.

“INEC is the most innovative public institution in Nigeria, but the challenge is sabotage and corruption. Sabotage from within and without,” he said.

The former Resident Electoral Commissioner explained that INEC has introduced several innovations like BVAS, IReV, Form EC60E to make elections transparent, but some political actors and even officials within the system work to sabotage the process.

He lamented that politicians have perfected the art of infiltrating INEC’s ad-hoc staff recruitment, especially through the NYSC list, to rig elections.

Igini warned that if Nigeria does not fix its politics and protect INEC’s innovations from sabotage, the 2027 general election will be judged harshly by Nigerians.

He insisted that INEC must be protected from both internal saboteurs and external corrupt politicians who want to end democracy in Nigeria.