NIGERIA — Politicians have commenced lobbying university professors and officials of federal agencies as part of early preparations for the 2027 general elections, according to Mike Igini, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Igini made this assertion on Thursday during the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue. He stated that political actors are already engaging with academics in university communities to influence the electoral process.

“As we are heading for election, as I speak to you, politicians are already going to the university communities to reach out to the professors, to the academics, and of course they try to use the federal agencies that INEC would normally use as collation officers and returning officers. They are already reaching out to them,” Igini said.

He emphasized that the credibility of elections in Nigeria and across the African continent is significantly dependent on the independence and effectiveness of electoral management bodies.

Igini further called upon political parties and the judiciary, which he identified as crucial components of democratic practice, to assume more robust roles in safeguarding the integrity of elections.

He suggested that Nigeria could draw lessons from the United Kingdom's model, advocating for increased responsibility for conducting credible elections to be placed on the electoral management body.

Additionally, Igini proposed a shift from the current adversarial system to an inquisitorial method for resolving electoral disputes.

He concluded that implementing such reforms is essential for strengthening democracy and fostering a more optimistic political future for the nation.