Former Independent National Electoral Commission Resident Electoral Commissioner Mike Igini has told Nigerians to stay awake throughout election day and night ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Channels Television Sunday Politics, Igini said voters have a legal right to use their telephones for video recording at polling units. He warned that if people sleep, those intent on manipulation will rig the election.
Igini, who previously served as Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, described the 2027 polls as more than a routine test.
He said the elections will serve as a verdict on whether Nigerians have learned from past experiences.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, its officials, the judiciary, and politicians seeking office will all face public judgment based on their conduct.
He stated that many individuals currently in public offices should instead face prison because Nigeria is operating under the rule of individuals rather than the rule of law.
Laws are no longer properly enforced. Igini specifically noted that Section 97 of the Electoral Act, which bars anyone from compelling a candidate to support a political party, is being violated regularly.
He added that some politicians appear determined to undermine democracy and were not part of the earlier struggle for civilian rule.
Igini raised fresh concerns about recruitment of ad hoc election staff. He alleged that politicians infiltrate National Youth Service Corps lists at the state level, insert unauthorized people, and sew official uniforms for them so they can work as polling officials and manipulate results. He urged stronger verification of such lists by the corps leadership.
The former commissioner also recalled that the failure to electronically transmit presidential election results in 2023, despite the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System working for other polls held the same day, severely damaged public trust in the electoral body.
He said even he, as a former commissioner, still lacks a clear explanation for the claimed glitch. That event continues to affect confidence in the current Independent National Electoral Commission leadership.
Igini encouraged political parties and citizens to document and share results announced at polling units, including photographing original Form EC8A sheets. He argued that the law permits parties to operate their own situation rooms and publicize polling unit figures.
He has long advocated official video recording of poll opening and ballot counting to provide clear evidence in disputes. Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for 16 January 2027, with governorship and state assembly elections on 6 February 2027.
The exercise will cover more than 103 million registered voters across 176846 polling units nationwide.
