Akwa Ibom Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Mike Igini, says he would bow out of Independent National Electoral Commission job before the 2023 general elections.
Speaking on Channels Television breakfast programme Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, the fire-brand INEC top officer confirmed his exit from INEC before December 2022.
“In life, whatever has a beginning must have an end. Yes, I will leave INEC before December. I have played my part and others will take over from there. INEC has capable hands to deliver on its core mandates,” Akwa Ibom Electoral Umpire said.
Asked what he will fall back on when he leaves his position as REC, he said he is trained as a lawyer and will return to law practice which he said was his first love.
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“Of course, if I leave INEC job before the end of the year, I will return to my law practice. Unlike some people, I am a man with a fixed address. Yes, my address is there for people to see. I am a lawyer and will return to my Chambers.”
Igini who had served as REC of Cross River, Edo and Akwa Ibom States as resident electoral commissioner did not explain the basis of his exit.
However, Straightnews noses that Igini may be proceeding on retirement having put in 12 years as Resident Electoral Commissioner aside other years on other posts on the job.
On the failure of the political class to “rally people on issues,” Igini attributed the reason to voters’ apathy.
Igini, however, lamented that every election year has witnessed a decline in voter turnout.
He said before candidates are presented to the people, political parties must screen hopefuls thoroughly.
Igini also said political parties must prioritise debates before primaries, so cogent issues are “treated and interrogated”.
“The whole essence of a political party is that you represent a district vision, and a common goal. The political party becomes a platform for the people to interpret that common goal,” he said.
“Who becomes a candidate in an election are choices made by people who already have influence and power. That in the final analysis, the choice the entire populace is called to make are choices already made by the political parties.
“Therefore, at this level, where they are aspirant, the message now is that speak before you select or elect, before you take someone as your flag bearer.
“Ask those questions. That’s what we have been lacking. We have not been interrogating aspirants. Party members should pin them down.
“At the moment, political class are not rallying the people on issues that matter to them, and that is why you see voter engagement going down.”
