A former Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mike Igini has cautioned against actions that would jeopardise the nation’s democracy.
Igini who appeared as a guest on Channel Television’s Politics Today said there is no future for the democratic institution without a functional opposition.
He also stated that it is important for both the electoral body and the government in power to ensure a level playing field for all in the political space.
Igini said, “For the institution of democracy, we have no hopeful future if we don’t have an opposition.
“And so, creating a level playing field in Cross River became a problem and I was accused of encouraging the CPC, the ACN and other parties to challenge the ruling government in Cross River as at that time,” Igini said.
Also speaking on the barrage of allegations against INEC and its leadership’s alleged support for the ruling party, Igini said that, unlike what is currently happening, in the past the ruling party had always accused the electoral body of supporting the opposition.
“So, clearly, beyond the serious issues that have been raised in respect to the current leadership of the commission, one of the things that politicians always do call an umpire, when they fail to have their way, that you are working for the opposition,” Igini stated.
