A former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mike Igini, has raised the alarm over alleged judicial interference in political party affairs and growing perceptions of partisanship within the electoral body, warning that both could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Tuesday, Igini described the development as “regrettable and most unfortunate,” stressing that INEC must maintain the highest ethical standards to sustain public confidence in the electoral process.

According to him, perception plays a critical role in electoral integrity, noting that every action or inaction by officials of an electoral management body must reflect neutrality and transparency.

“Perception matters a lot. All actions and inactions of an EMB official must exhibit the highest ethical standards so that people can have faith and confidence in the process,” he said.

Igini, however, acknowledged that politicians often accuse INEC of bias when outcomes do not favour them, recalling that such claims were also common during his time in office.

“One of the things politicians always do is to call an umpire partisan when they fail to have their way,” he added.

The former REC expressed serious concern over what he described as the increasing role of the judiciary in determining electoral outcomes, warning that such a trend poses a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

“Today, it is the courts that are now conducting elections in our country,” he said, adding that a democracy without an independent and courageous judiciary risks collapse.

He noted that past judicial pronouncements have, at critical moments, weakened the sanctity of the ballot and eroded public trust in the system.

Igini further warned that internal crises within opposition parties, compounded by judicial interference, could weaken Nigeria’s multi-party democracy ahead of the 2027 polls.

“The institution of multi-party democracy will have no future if there is no institutionalised opposition,” he stated.

He cautioned against any attempt to suppress opposition voices, describing such actions as dangerous to democratic development.

“Any attempt to stifle opposition will be tantamount to shooting the heart of democracy,” he warned.

The former INEC official also raised concerns over certain provisions in the 2026 Electoral Act, which he said could create loopholes capable of undermining the electoral process, particularly in relation to the role of key electoral officials during tribunal proceedings.

Igini decried rising political intolerance across the country, citing reports of opposition parties being denied access to public facilities and media platforms.

“We have already entered a season of intolerance. These are clear violations of the electoral law,” he said.

He emphasised that Nigeria’s democratic progress depends on fairness, adherence to the rule of law and responsible conduct by political actors.

“If we don’t fix our politics, we can never fix our economy,” he added.

Igini called on all stakeholders to protect the nation’s democracy through accountability, ethical leadership and strict respect for democratic principles.

“The greatest promise of democracy is the peaceful transfer of power. Nobody should do anything to undermine that,” he said.