Most Characters In Public Offices Today Are Supposed To Be Prison Candidates – Igini

A former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr Mike Igini has said most of the people who are in public offices were supposed to be candidates for prison.

Speaking when he appeared on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Igini said the 2027 general election will be more than a test for Nigeria’s democracy but a verdict on INEC, the judiciary and other stakeholders.

“The 2027 general elections will be more than a test. INEC will be judged, and officials, judiciary will be judged.

“More importantly, the politicians who are seeking political office will be judged. Most of the characters you see today in public offices are supposed to be candidates for prison,” he said.

Igini expressed discomfort that the country is now operating under the rule of individuals instead of the rule of law, adding that laws are no longer enforced.

He raised alarm over Section 97 of the Electoral Act which says a candidate shall not be compelled to support any political party, saying the law is being violated daily.

“They want to end Nigeria. They are putting out light on democracy. Where were they when we were fighting for democracy in this country?” Igini queried.

The former INEC REC also warned that politicians have infiltrated National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) members

lists to rig elections by inserting fake corps members as ad hoc staff.

He however said NYSC members were still the best option as they have something at stake to protect that Ex-corps members and graduates used for election who have no fear of sanctions.

Igini insisted that if Nigeria cannot fix its politics, it can never fix its economy, hence development is embedded in political processes.

He said INEC has continued to evolve ways to build confidence in the electoral process leading to the incorporation of BVAS and iREV which changed the fortunes of election in country.