Politicians Are Not Out to Serve the People But Their Own Interests – Former DSS Director

[Rachel Okporu Fadoju]

Former Director of the Department Of State Service, DSS, Mike Ejiofor, has criticized Nigerian politicians for prioritizing personal interests over public service.​

Naija News reports that Ejiofor, in an interview with ARISE TV, alleged widespread manipulation and lack of credibility in the election process.

Ejiofor also raised concerns about security personnel taking sides with politicians during elections.

He said, “Politicians, they are not out there to serve the people but to serve their interests, so they do everything possible to manipulate the process in their own favour.”

“Unfortunately, the security agencies at times take sides with them, especially when you have the incumbency factor, it becomes a problem.”

Ejiofor also addressed the impartiality of election officials, and the challenges of ensuring a fair and credible vote as Ondo State prepares for its upcoming gubernatorial election scheduled for November 16.

He said, “You also recall that INEC, in its peace signing accord, assured Ondo citizens that they are also going to improve on what happened in Edo State.

“That is indirectly admitting that they did not live up to expectations in the Edo election. I hope and also pray that they would play by the rules, ensure that the conduct of the election is free, fair, and credible.”

Speaking on why irregularities persist during elections despite the presence of heavy security, Ejiofor pointed to a lack of confidence in election officials and security agencies.

He added, “The problem is the umpires of the elections. People don’t seem to have confidence in the umpires, even the security agencies. If you like, deploy over 24,000 security personnel; they would still do what they want to do.

“You saw what happened in Edo, the fight between APC and PDP. Despite the deployment of police, people were not even allowed, from what we saw, to go into the collation centre to collate the exact results, and that’s what has caused problems.

“The way we should go is not only to sanitise our electoral process but to ensure that our votes not only count but are credible and fair to every other person.”

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