Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
A former Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mike Igini, has known as on the United States of America’s President Donald Trump to undertake a ‘No Mandate From Fraud’ doctrine forward of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election, insisting that his administration wouldn’t do enterprise as standard with any authorities produced by way of electoral fraud.
In the letter dated November 15, 2026, Igini mentioned the US authorities ought to make the announcement earlier than the election and never after.
The former INEC nationwide commissioner argued that Nigerians aren’t leaving Nigeria as a result of they don’t love their nation, however as a result of a long time of electoral malpractice, corruption, insecurity and weak accountability.
This, he famous, has destroyed confidence in authorities and compelled 1000’s of execs, college students and households to hunt refuge within the United States.
Igini added: “Border enforcement alone can’t clear up this. We should tackle the trigger on the supply.
“Nigeria has the population, oil, gas and talent to be one of the richest nations on earth. But [it has been] undermined by [a] leadership recruitment process that has rendered the country a plundered wilderness, littered with the debris of missed opportunities.”
Igini urged the Trump administration to dispatch a senior US delegation to interact President Bola Tinubu, presidential and governorship candidates, INEC, political events and different related establishments, to speak clearly that credible elections, peaceable competitors and respect for constitutional rights are core US nationwide pursuits tied to bilateral engagement, migration and stability.
In session with European companions, igini burdened that the U.S ought to challenge a transparent warning to the INEC Chairman, nationwide commissioners, resident electoral commissioners and advert hoc workers drawn from federal businesses and universities.
He mentioned officers who have interaction in deliberate manipulation of outcomes, falsification of electoral data or different severe electoral offences established by credible proof ought to face particular person penalties, together with visa restrictions and, the place legally justified, focused monetary sanctions and asset freezes.
Igini additionally proposed extending penalties to the instant members of the family the place relevant.
While stressing that judicial independence is indispensable, Igini mentioned it should not grow to be a protect for deliberate corruption or subversion of electoral justice.
He maintained that judicial officers whose deliberate corruption or different sanctionable misconduct is established by credible proof ought to face visa restrictions and asset seizures.
Igini burdened that the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), armed forces, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and different safety establishments have an obligation to guard residents and obey the regulation impartially, not politicians, and to stem rising violence and thuggery since campaigns commenced.
He emphasised that senior officers and commanders whose authorisation or facilitation of voter intimidation, electoral violence, illegal suppression of opposition or manipulation of outcomes is established by credible proof ought to face visa restrictions and different sanctions.
He famous that the police and DSS are at the moment headed by two officers with enviable data of service.
Igini maintained that the US ought to help credible home and worldwide observers to observe the method earlier than, throughout and after the election, with explicit consideration to voter intimidation, neutral conduct of safety personnel, publication of polling-unit outcomes, clear collation and backbone of electoral disputes.
Igini argued that the doctrine serves Trump’s America-First agenda in 4 methods: Reduces migration stress as credible elections produce good leaders.
He defined that good leaders repair the economic system, saying when Nigeria works, Nigerians will keep residence and plenty of within the US diaspora will return.
Igini mentioned it could additionally assist the US to cease legitimising and funding governments that lack the consent of their individuals.
