Politicians bribed Presiding Officers with dollars during 2019 election — Ex-INEC REC Igini

‎A former Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mike Igini, has alleged that politicians distributed dollars to presiding officers shortly after they were trained for the 2019 Nigerian general election.

‎Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Wednesday, Igini said some of the electoral officials who received the money later reported the incident to him.

‎According to him, the bribery occurred between the training of presiding officers and the election day.

‎Igini disclosed that he warned the affected officials of possible arrest if they failed to uphold ethical standards, but claimed they cited provisions of the Electoral Act suggesting they would not face consequences.

‎He expressed concern that certain legal provisions appear to grant immunity, allowing electoral misconduct to go unpunished.

‎The former REC also raised fresh concerns about the legal framework ahead of the 2027 elections, warning that some provisions could weaken the credibility of the process.

‎He noted that key officials, including the INEC chairman, national commissioners, and resident electoral commissioners, would play largely supervisory roles on election day, a situation he said could create loopholes.

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‎Igini said: “I had the privilege of being appointed by two presidents of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I have traversed the entire country conducting election.

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‎“With respect to presiding officers, do you know that when I had trained people on a Wednesday for the 2019 election, for Saturday election, politicians went to share money for presiding officers – dollars.

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‎“Some of them came to me. When they told me, I said some of you will be arrested if you don’t observe the highest principle of ethical standards.

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‎“I was told that they pointed out to them this section, saying that nothing will happen to them. They will not be invited to tribunal. So this provision we are seeing here, immunity have been provided for them. You rig election, you will not be invited. They said any instruction of INEC, you cannot obey it. Nothing will happen to you.

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‎“Now the reason why I’m now asking my constituency (INEC) to stand tall is the fact that, in the final analysis, this matter will be taken to the court. We expect what we call a purposive interpretation. Every provision of the law that we have made proposal to change was an account of a mischief that we have found over time.

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‎“It is the duty of the court to advance the remedy that we have preferred and suppress the mischief. However, that has not been happening at the level of the court. This is the problem that we have, and that has to be solved.

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‎“And so we are going into 2027 election, you already have provision that will undermine the entire elections because INEC chairman, national commissioners, resident electoral commissioners, they are not going to be involved on that day.

‎They are merely supervisors.”

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