Mike Igini And The Quest For Credible Polls -By Pius Mordi

With his fierce reputation as an unyielding champion of electoral integrity and democratic reforms, Mike Ogini leading the discussions on public trust in the 2027 general elections set the tone for robust exchange at the BEL Dialogue in Asaba. Igini is a highly respected former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He warned that public trust in the 2027 general elections depends heavily on transparent processes rather than the mere declaration of results. Serving as the Chairman of the occasion, Igini emphasized that public confidence can only be sustained if electoral institutions remain strictly independent and accountable.

It was a warning that set the trajectory for the dialogue.

Evaluating the critical impact of process over outcomes, Igini argued that when an election process is transparent and fair, the resulting outcome naturally earns public trust. Insisting on institutional independence, he stressed the urgent need for a completely independent judiciary and stronger democratic institutions to prevent manipulation.

Aligning with the event’s theme, “Democracy That Works: Bridging the Gap Between Votes, Results and Institutional Accountability,” the former INEC resident commissioner pointed out that democratic institutions must always remain more powerful than the individuals occupying them. Taking a cue from Igini, the various speakers and stakeholders expressed the view that INEC as an institution requires critical operational and structural upgrades. Participants emphasized that public trust depends on process transparency rather than just result announcements, identifying funding and legal gaps that hinder the electoral umpire and create trust issues before Nigerians.

The challenges identified in the electoral umpire include perceived weak electoral laws, voter apathy, corruption, and inadequate INEC funding as major threats to the 2027 polls.
Public concerns over INEC center on political neutrality, logistical failures, and data privacy. Critics and opposition figures point to issues with recent voter registration data and the handling of election technology.

Opposition leaders and civil society groups have questioned the commission’s independence, alleging partisan influence in appointments and administrative decisions.

Religious bodies and political critics have accused INEC of compromising election transparency and failing to consistently enforce real-time electronic result transmission.
Similarly, privacy groups condemned a data breach involving leaked voter information, raising alarms over INEC’s compliance with data protection laws.

With the concerns raised at the Dialogue, the klieg lights are firmly on INEC to pledge its readiness to play the unbiased arbiter. It has assured Nigerians that every vote will count in upcoming polls, its institutional independence remains uncompromised, and secure while transparent logistics will be fully prioritized.
President Bola Tinubu has defended the commission, stating that INEC remains neutral and that attacks on its integrity are politically motivated.

The contributions from members of the public at the dialogue suggest that concern over INEC is paramount among opposition parties and civil society groups.

From all indications, INEC is conscious of the level of cynicism of its activities by the people. Prof. Joash Amupitan, its chairman, should be primed to prove his doubters wrong. He has pledged transparent handling of materials and adherence to established guidelines. But the sense of optimism is unmistakable. Everyone left the dialogue believing that the system can avoid the glitches and logistic challenges that cast a dark pall on the previous poll. Kudos to Emmanuel Enebeli, publisher of Ndokwa Reporters for putting up a credible discourse.

Just as Prof. Epiphany Azinge, Asagba of Asaba said when Igini visited his palace, with talk shops like the Bel Dialogue, Asaba do not need to venture outside to be treated to intellectual discussions.