Is Edo State afraid of Mike Igini?

It is often said that there is no smoke without fire. No Toad jumps in the daytime as well without a pursuant. This is not far from the recent outcry against the Akwa Ibom State Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini by some corruption-drunk political group in Edo State.

Obviously, the handwriting on the wall takes one to the upcoming governorship election in Edo State, where footprints of electoral violence are already being seen. It is therefore not surprising that those who feel threatened by the person of Mike Igini and his resoluteness in electoral matters, are already panicking at a mere passage of the election guru through the State.
It happened that the INEC REC passed a night in Benin last Sunday on his way to his home state – Delta, to attend the funeral service of a close friend’s mother which took place from 23rd through 25th of August, 2020.

Having travelled by road, it is only safe and wise that one who is security conscious, should pause for rest from the journey’s stress where they feel safe to do so. This was the case of Mike Igini and his travel companions on the night his antagonists claimed to have seen him.

Meanwhile, Igini had since returned to Lagos and was no where around the shores of Benin on the night John Mayaki (who authored the libelous report) claimed he saw lgini in company of two other persons to meet Gov. Obaseki. Now, is it possible for one to be at two different locations (Benin and Lagos) at the same time and day? Has Igini no right to stop-over at his home State/ town to see his family members because of an election that will not add a pound to his flesh? Does Mayaki have evidences to prove his assertions in a Court of law if summoned to do so?

It shows how low the mentality of today’s political players are, and how desperate they are to amass power at all cost.

As we know, the wicked flee when no one pursues them but the righteous are as bold as a Lion. They are afraid of lNEC asking Igini to supervise the election hence, their pre-emptive ploy to soil his image which is in no way possible else, the best thing to do when one sights a kinsman, is to walk up and exchange pleasantries, rather than cow and hide in fear.

Recall that Mike Igini has been noted for conducting the freest, fair and credible elections and has never been linked to any fraudulent act, at any time. At the sendforth ceremony conducted for him at the Benin INEC office in 2015, the APC and PDP chairmen both testified to the integrity of this election General and his credibility despite their opposing stances when the ruling APC was under Oshiomole as Governor. That was the only State in 2015 out of 11 states (6 from South south and 5 from South East) where APC won majority of state House of Assembly seats, a senatorial seat and 4 federal seats while the PDP won 5.

The APC had then sung the song of lgini to high heavens, pronouncing him as a man of honour and integrity – an act which heralded him in Nigeria. The story is even more tale worthy when his prowess in the 2019 governorship election in Akwa Ibom is analysed.
These were the rationale behind the invites he got from other countries to lecture and address them on the need for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections. Notably, Igini is the only INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) invited to Ghana by the US organization, led by the former Assistant Secretary of States, to meet with past Presidents like Rawlings, Kufuor, late kofi Anan and the then President Mahatma of Ghana in 2016, to engage them on the need for a peaceful election.

But today, because they are now in control of their "federal might” and are planning to wreck the forthcoming Edo State election, the shadow of lgini has suddenly become a problem to them. All the APC sees now, is how to malign the personality of the reputable REC. They know that Mike Igini is a different breed who cannot be bought with money hence, their resort to lies.

But whether they like it or not, INEC knows better and will have the final say on who takes charge of the election. This is in no way Igini’s problem or INEC’s just as both entities are not interested in who wins or loses the election. Members of the public therefore need not worry but keep their peace intact concerning the Edo State election.

Igini has never bent backwards; he never does and will not start now. Even those who work under his directive can attest to his zero tolerance for unethical conducts, and the disciplinary measures he takes against defaulting staff and ad hoc workers, some of whom have just been dismissed, and non-staff who are to be arraigned in court for electoral malpractice.
There’s no going back on this firm and grounded reputable integrity; Igini remains in his honour!

Ella Smart