The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Jega

  • Our Girls; Educaretrust@21; Jega GCFR?; Chicken-change Senate statesman-less politics; Power ‘Buhari effect’?   

    Our Girls are still missing since April 15, 2014. And another 150 innocent souls have been murdered.

    No doubt Nigeria needs many more local town and city Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) catering for 50million youth inadequately served for 30 years. But NGOs do not build themselves. ‘We the people’ do with love, care and funds from family, friends and followers. NGOs allow people to let others be their proxy service to humanity. The first generation NGOs like Red Cross, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Boys’ Brigade, Man-o-War [and Peace] were abandoned instead of being promoted to line items in budgets. They constitute a volunteer army needing direction. Such NGOs need daily public support and media recognition as role models. Motivational friends, business and a part of the N3-5bilion CSR budget are needed for youth NGOs to succeed. ‘Many hands make light work’ and in spite of funding difficulties, the Educare Trust@21 story continued with contributions by Dr Roselie Ann Modder-Oyefeso, Principal Mr Ajekigbe and a 21 year old ‘Diaspora’ Lagos sector contribution by Patron Mr Bode Emanuel, Dr John Abebe, Mr Remi Okunlola, EtubonAnthony Ani, Chief FRA Marinho, Mr PK Tabiowo, Professor TA Ogunbiyi, Mr Raymond Kotey, Mr Sola MacGregor, Mr Seni DaSilva, F.I Damola, Michael Murray-Bruce and Dr Charles Hammond under Ms Sade Young’s watch.

    Educare Ttrust@21 has not yet ‘made it’ in spite of generous financial and intellectual support. Our failures highlight the need for every ward, LGA, state and the federal government to have their own independent ‘WARD YOUTH CENTRE POLICY’ setting up small cheap Youth Centres in every ward as soon as possible to educate against social ignorance and counter cults, gangs and terrorist sects. Once started each Youth Centre, named after the locality, can be added to in annual budgets and by individuals and local business.

    In an NGO, every minute counts and a volunteer or peer role model or parental figure or a conversation with an abuse victim may save a life, redirect a child in crisis, save years of youth suffering, give valuable volunteer inspiration, give career guidance, simply be a shoulder to cry on for an orphan, a place to ‘feel free’ from child abuse at home or bullying in school, a haven from a troubled home, a light in the darkness of ignorance or a sanctuary from cultism. What price do you put on NGOs being there to help? Send us your N1000/ month pls!

    In 1998 or so, a youth joined ET. He became computer savvy and expert in making film clips for ET’s education project about life-skill messages like anti-smoking, anti-bullying, anti-HIV/AIDS. These went on NTA, BCOS influencing many. He went to university and is working with a bank. His name is Funso Ogundele. Another young boy has a glad-to-sad story. He joined ET and went to University of Ibadan for medicine helped by ET including Professor Dipo Otolorin. He qualified but TRAGICALLY has not completed his house-job yet. After supernumerary ‘work-for-no-pay’ six months and two postings he and others were told to leave. He has been unable to complete the House job. His name is Dr Femi Temilola -awaiting six months House job posting. This is a disgraceful abandonment by the medical profession of its own Hippocratic Oath and responsibility to newly-qualified medical doctors. The regulatory body must stop hospitals taking newly qualified graduates over seniors needing ‘House Officer’ jobs. Enough of medical bureaucratic bottlenecks, discrimination and favouritism. A ‘COMPULSORY TAKING OF SENIOR PRE-REGISTRATION DOCTORS FOR HOUSE JOBS LAW’ is needed. Another youth made a very exciting composite painting of Professor Wole Soyinka@70. He is Daniel Iyoha. Young Seun Kayode and Seun Ajakaiye joined ET and used ET’s drama platform to take up University Arts Theatre courses. Many youth seize the opportunities presented by ET as stepping stone empowerment to success, integrity and knowledge and become peer role models for millions. I met a senior security officer who remembered visiting ET in 1998 to see a computer for the first time. Do you have an ET story? Share it on educaretrust@hotmail.com, http://www.facebook.com/educaretrustnigeria. We all stand on the shoulders of giants and must help others. ET graduates must complete the circle and give back, collectively and individually –experience, corporate connections and small regular amounts. Just 500 ET graduates giving N500-1000=N250-500,000 of service to Generation Next.

    Educare Trust needs your help, donations and a vehicle, a bus. And ET needs Endowment Funds and funds to run ET activities-N250-300,000/month. You can leave ET or other NGOs something in your will. Our lawyer Mr Funsho Ogunkeye will be willing to help. Can you or your company take one of 12 months to annually give us your CSR contribution? Which NGO do you and your shareholding company support?

    Sadly most of ET’s ‘change’ ideas remain ideas. Nigeria refuses to solve the poor reading problem with a ‘ONE STORY BOOK PER CHILD’ plan with a ‘BOX LIBRARY’ of 30 books in a plastic container/classroom. Every PTA in primary and secondary school should provide exciting book mini-libraries immediately. Any ‘change’ takers?

    The out gone Chairman of INEC Professor Jega deserves GCFR or GCON.

    Buhari-ism is working but allowed National Assembly to give Nigerians ‘chicken-change’ statesman-less Senate politics. Has the fear of Buhari forced Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to stop TOSSing [Temporarily Out of Service] electricity? The increased power supply saved billions in June in generator fuelling and maintenance costs, reduced air and noise pollution and the June ‘fuel subsidy’ of households and businesses by several billions.

    ‘Sadly most of ET’s ‘change’ ideas remain ideas. Nigeria refuses to solve the poor reading problem with a ‘ONE STORY BOOK PER CHILD’ plan with a ‘BOX LIBRARY’ of 30 books in a plastic container/classroom. Every PTA in primary and secondary school should provide exciting book mini-libraries immediately. Any ‘change’ takers?’

  • Now that Jega has taken a bow

    SIR: The conduct of this year’s general elections was a watershed as many observers both from within and outside the country saw it as a deciding factor in bringing about the desired peace and continued corporate existence of the nation. Before now, notable international think-tanks had predicted that the country was going to disintegrate. The way and manner the two main political parties; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) went about their campaigns added to the already level of apprehension such that the parties accused each other of engaging in hate speeches. This is where the Attahiru Jega-led INEC would be remembered for good.

    The introduction of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and the Card Reader Machine (CRM) for the verification and accreditation of voters has no doubt stamped credibility into our electoral process. From the onset, INEC under Jega, had carried along all the registered political parties on the need to appreciate the importance of the use of the high-tech devices in minimising the incidence of malpractices. In spite of the pressure mounted against INEC to drop the idea, it is on record that the adoption of PVCs eventually made it absolutely difficult for intending voters to use the cards that were not theirs. Not only was the introduction of the card rendered useless, it staved off the practice of buying voter cards by desperate politicians.

    Despite the encouraging performance by INEC, there are some areas where the incoming helmsman would need to improve on. To begin with, INEC would need to carry out more sustained voter education and enlightenment of the electorate so as to know those things expected of them during general elections. Lack of adequate awareness was largely blamed for the demonstration that initially trailed the use of the card readers in the 12 states of the federation, following the postponement of the presidential poll. There were also reported cases of voters not knowing where to thumb-print, a factor that could have been largely responsible for why there was high prevalence of void votes. This should be looked into by the incoming chairman.

    Another area that needs improvement, based on the outcome of the general elections, is in the logistics as electoral materials were still reported to have arrived many polling units late and in some other places, voting materials reportedly got to the voting points too late when the accreditation of voters should have ordinarily ended. INEC staff were found deficient in operating some of the machines, hence suggesting the urgent need to embark on the thorough training of staff ahead of the pending tasks.

    The use of the “incident forms” during the elections allegedly led to large-scale rigging. It was a major factor too in the inconclusive outcome of the governorship and state assembly polls in some states like Taraba and Imo. Another anomaly INEC has to correct is the haphazard distribution of PVCs which was done in a manner that was said to have disfranchised many voters.

    The daunting challenge before INEC still has to do with the numerous electoral litigation involving the commission even though the umpire had shouted it loud and clear that it does not have such financial base and time to prosecute these offenders, hence the justification for the establishment of the electoral offences tribunal. So far, little has been done in that regard.

    Also, the new helmsman needs to review the remuneration of its regular staff and the ad-hoc staff that would be used in future elections. Even after the last polls, many officials of INEC were said to have embarked on demonstration and protests, urging the commission to pay them the approved stipends. The relative success recorded by Jega would forever be appreciated and this goes on to say that his successor should be able to do more to raise the bar of excellence.

    Finally, we should always remember that Jega once expressed the fears that there was a great danger that the country might lose the improvements made by him in the conduct of elections. One re-assuring way to consolidate on this solid foundation would be to make a conscious attempt at getting the right person as his successor. Truly, the former INEC chairman has raised a perfect point that we should all appreciate. That is how continuity can take roots in our electoral system.

     

    • Adewale Kupoluyi

    Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

  • Jega’s legacy of honour

    Jega’s legacy of honour

    •He has done well; but we must continue to work towards strengthening INEC 

    The nation was virtually on tenterhooks. The March 28 presidential election had successfully held nationwide despite logistical lapses in some areas. Yet, the unprecedented number of voters who participated in the exercise believed in the integrity of the process and the sanctity of their votes. As the vote collation entered the third day and concluding stages under the exhaustive coverage of national and global media, it was obvious that the incumbent, Dr Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was heading for defeat, with President Muhammadu Buhari of the then opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) having the upper hand.

    All of a sudden, an unanticipated drama erupted. The PDP polling agent, Elder Godswill Orubebe, a former Minister of the Federal Republic, seized the centre stage at the venue. He snatched the microphone, threw tantrums, accused the electoral umpire of being biased in favour of the opposition and disrupted proceedings for nearly half an hour. It appeared to be a carefully planned plot to abort the process.

    But the man in charge of proceedings, Professor Attahiru Jega, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not fall for the bait. He remained calm and unruffled until an apparently exhausted Orubebe dropped the microphone and regained his composure. After cautioning Orubebe against such behaviour, especially given his status in society in an exhibition of deep intellect and maturity, Jega continued with his sensitive task. Ex-President Jonathan later that day called Buhari on phone to congratulate him on his victory shortly before Jega announced the results of the historic election. Two weeks later, Jega’s INEC conducted substantially successful state governorship and House of Assembly elections, even though the latter were marred by brazen violence and rigging, especially in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states.

    On Tuesday, Professor Jega voluntarily bowed out of office at the expiration of his five-year tenure. He is no doubt leaving behind a legacy of honour. He conducted himself throughout his occupation of the hot seat with dignity and integrity. Most Nigerians applauded his nomination on June 8, 2010 as Chairman of INEC by President Jonathan because of his track record as an honest, principled, committed and patriotic academic, administrator and activist.

    Yet, some also felt that as a member of the Justice Mohammed Uwais Electoral reforms Committee that recommended the appointment of the INEC Chairman by the National Judicial Council (NJC) rather than the President, he ought not to have accepted the offer. But the nation is certainly the better for his acceptance to serve. Jega has set a standard, which future occupants of the office will be under pressure to maintain, if not exceed.

    Despite Jega’s successes, there is still a long way to go towards achieving the credible and reliable electoral system that can guarantee democratic sustainability in Nigeria. True, the introduction of Electronic Card Readers and Permanent Voters Cards under Jega have enhanced the integrity and transparency of the process.  However, it is still necessary to implement those aspects of the Justice Uwais panel, such as involving the judiciary in the appointment of the INEC chairman to guarantee greater autonomy as well as taking more effective steps to apprehend and punish electoral offenders.

    Jega’s tenure also showed that it is not enough to have a man of integrity at the head of the commission while some Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and other lower to middle cadre officers remain vulnerable to partisan and corruptive influences. Professor Jega tried with a high degree of success to overcome this problem by appointing his trusted vice-chancellor colleagues as Returning Officers. Commendable as this innovation may be, there is no alternative to having an electoral process built on systemic credibility and integrity irrespective of the personality at its helm. We congratulate Professor Jega for his patriotic and courageous service to his nation and wish him success in his future endeavours.

  • Jega operated in an hostile environment – TMG

    Jega operated in an hostile environment – TMG

    The Transition Monitoring Group, TMG Thursday said the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega  operated in the last five years in an hostile environment but was however able to succeed due to his uprightness.

    The TMG in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by its Chairman, Ibrahim Zikirullahi congratulated  Jega on the  successful completion of an eventful and productive tenure as Chairman of INEC.

    “This patriotic Nigerian has made Nigeria proud by superintending the electoral process since 2011 to 2015, with a sense of utmost dedication and forthrightness.

    “Operating in a hostile political environment, Jega went about his duties with an assuring demeanour and calm efficiency.

    “The two general elections conducted under his watch passed the test of credibility and reflected the popular will of Nigerians.

    “By sheer grit and commitment, Professor Jega helped Nigeria to move away a horrible past defined by chaotic and fraudulent polls.

    “At TMG, we can testify that Professor Jega ran a transparent and inclusive administration at INEC, just as he did all within his powers to ensure constant improvements in Nigeria’s electoral system.

    “We salute this courageous Nigerian whose diligence and commitment to democracy, has earned Nigeria global respect and admiration, especially after the largely successful and historic 2015 general elections.

    “We are not in doubt that Professor Jega has acquitted himself excellently, and has bequeathed to the nation an electoral system that is in better shape than what he met on the ground.

    “TMG warmly felicitates with the former INEC helmsman, as he steps down and moves on to other things. We wish him God’s guidance, blessings and protection,”the statement said

    TMG also  congratulated  Mrs. Amina Zakari, who was on Tuesday appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as Chairman  of INEC in an acting capacity.

  • Jega bows out of INEC in style

    Jega bows out of INEC in style

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, will complete his five–year tenure today. He has made history as the only electoral umpire that supervised a transition where an elected president lost power to the opposition. Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI examines the ups and downs that characterised his tenure.  

    AFTER serving his five-year tenure meritoriously, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, is bowing out on a blaze of glory. An erudite scholar, highly principled, well-focused and an accomplished academia, Jega was put to the acid test of integrity in the last five years when he waded through the murky waters of Nigerian politics and came out unscathed. For the above reason, Jega has been described as a patriot and a gentleman.

    Jega, who is leaving INEC with six national commissioners whose tenure has equally expired, fought the greatest battle of his life, to preserve his good name, in conducting the 2015 general elections. When former President Goodluck Jonathan nominated Jega as the Chairman of INEC in June, 2010, it was borne out of the conviction that he was found worthy of a position that had a history of lacking in men that live up to the creed such an office demands— unimpeachable integrity and being a consistent stickler for truth.

    The Convener of the Coalition of Democrats for electoral Reform (CODER), Mr. Ayo Opadokun said said the outgoing INEC chairman would be in high demand for consultancy in enthroning a credible electoral process all over the world, because he did a good job. A statement from the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, however, said Jega would be returning to the classroom after leaving office. He was the Vice Chancellor of the Bayero University, Kano, before his appointment as INEC Chairman in 2010.

    Opadokun, a lawyer and the founding Secretary-General of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), gave Jega kudos because he complied substantially with the rules and regulation guiding the recent general elections. Jega became a man of history because he was able to take steps during the final preparations for the last general elections to ensure that there was a level-playing field for all contestants.

    He said: “He went ahead to insist that the right thing was done. For instance, he introduced the Card Reader had been in use in two or three other African countries. Those who usually manipulate the figures were very much unhappy with him and tried to blackmail him into jettisoning the idea, but he stuck to his gun.”

    Jega could have easily secured tenure, but he has said expressly that he is not interested in staying on at the commission. He had said in an interview with the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation after the March 28 poll that it was time another person was given chance to contribute his own quota, having played his role in the political space for five years. He acknowledged that the task of leading INEC was a difficult one.

    He added: “I am grateful to God. I was asked to come and contribute my own quota to the national development and I have done my bit to the best of my ability. Whatever assignment one will do for five years – just like this difficult one, to me if one is able to successfully accomplish the task, someone else should be given the opportunity, because for me I am not interested and if I am requested to serve again, I will not do it, by God’s grace.”

    He acknowledged that the introduction of the Card Reader device in the general elections had significantly helped to make the presidential election transparent.

    He replaced Prof. Maurice Iwu, who was eased out ingloriously after superintending over the 2007 electoral disaster, which ushered in the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. That was one election in which the beneficiary of the contest, the late Yar’Adua, publicly acknowledged to be lacking in credibility.

    After his appointment in June 30, 2010, he quickly settled down and gave the nation a semblance of credible election the following year. That was the election that witnessed the emergence of Jonathan as an elected President. Though he had little time to prepare for the 2011 general elections, it was generally believed to be a remarkable improvement on past elections.

    Based on the relative success of the 2011 election and the elaborate preparation that preceded the much-talked about 2015 contest, expectations were high that Prof. Jega should be able to deliver a more credible one in 2015. Against the background of the irregularities that characterised previous elections before 2011, Jega and his team took off on sounding footing with a clear policy direction hinged on improving the country’s electoral system. The outgoing INEC chairman’s tenure had its ups and downs, but the commission under his stewardship witnessed some innovations and improvements, with regards to the conduct of elections.

    Thanks to Prof. Jega, the dynamics of politics is believed to have changed. Between 2011 and 2015, INEC has also moved a notch higher in its preparations with the introduction of innovations such as the Permanent Voters Card (PVC), the Card Reader, counting of votes and announcement of results at the polling units, among other things that made rigging a near impossibility. That was perhaps why the then ruling party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) tried to oppose the introduction of the Card Reader. But, the attempt failed.

    Besides, it was clear from the body language of the PDP that the party never wanted the merger of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), to become a reality. The then ruling party was reported to have made several moves through proxies to thwart the merger. But, Jega allowed it, by remaining cool, calm, calculated and focused on the overall objective the period. That singular incident was perhaps the first signal from the Jega-led INEC that 2015 general elections were not going to be business as usual.

    The campaign for the 2015 general elections that brought the APC to power was hate-filled. But, in conceding victory, despite his party’s strong opposition to Jega’s supervision of the 2015 election, former President Jonathan has reaffirmed his confidence in the choice of the Professor of Political Economy as the right man for the job of charting the path of credible electoral process in Nigeria about five years ago.

    The outgoing electoral umpire has broken the record by being the first INEC chairman to conduct two general elections; 2011 and 2015. It was also under his tenure that a ruling party would lose elections for first time in the country’s political history.

    Controversy, criticisms and commendations trailed the conduct of Prof. Jega and his team prior to the last general elections. Aside from the PVC and the Card Reader, controversy also dogged the attempt to introduce an additional 30,000 polling units. The move was strongly rebuffed by Nigerians, especially from the Southern part of the country. They saw it as a move to favour a particular section of the country. After days of insistence and explanation, the Commission dropped the move, but that did not spare Jega from attack and allegation ahead of the polls. Several allegations of bias and corrupt practices were leveled against him by both the PDP and the APC. But, in the face of all these allegations and provocations, Jega remained undaunted.

    Jega’s appointment was favourably received five years ago by Nigerians from all walks of life because he was a member of the Justice Muhammed Uwais Electoral Reform Panel, which made recommendations for organising free, fair and credible election. But, Opadokun was one of those Nigerians that criticised the appointment. He said that was one of the reasons why he had opposed the appointment of Prof. Jega five years ago. “As a member of the Uwais panel that made the above lofty recommendation, I felt that as a gentleman Jega ought to have rejected that appointment,” he said. Besides, the CODER chieftain said he was also against the composition of INEC put in place by Prof. Jega, where seven or eight departments out of the 10 in the commission were headed by people from the part of the country where the chairman hailed from.

    Opadokun said CODER remains resolute on the full recommendations of the Uwais panel report. He said: “We should not be looking for angels; what we should do is to build and rely on institutions, no matter who comes there, he would be subject to the rules and regulations. Contrary to the recommendation of the Uwais panel that an electoral offences tribunal should be set to try electoral offenders, no one has been tried and sentenced for electoral offences. The import of this is that the tribunal would not require the approval of the attorney-general to try electoral offences.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari should go ahead and ensure that all the recommendations of the Uwais panel are implemented.” One of the key recommendations was that the government in power should no longer appoint the chairman of the electoral commission. According to Opadokun, it is like a football final between team A and team B, where the former is allowed to appoint the match officials. He said: “The panel recommended that anyone who wanted to the chairman of the electoral commission should apply to the National Judicial Council (NJC), which would collate the applications and send them to the National Council of State. The Council of State is expected to consider the applications and nominate one person, by sending it to the Senate for ratification. This would make the umpire impartial because he was not appointed by the government of the day and he would be under no obligation to favour the party in government.”

    Jega was born on 11 January 1957 in Jega, Kebbi State. He attended Sabon Gari Town Primary School, Jega between 1963 and 1969 and proceeded to Government Secondary School, Birnin Kebbi and then was admitted into The Ahmadu Bello University Zaria’s Bayero University College, Kano in 1974, graduating in 1979 with a Second Class Upper Division BSc degree in Political Science. He worked as a teaching assistant at Bayero University. Thereafter, he won a fellowship at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois in the United States (1981 to 1984) where he earned a PhD in Political Sciences. He returned to the Political Science Department in Bayero University in 1984 as a lecturer.

    Other appointments included visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos (March 1992 to March 1993), visiting Research Fellow, Department of Political Science, University of Stockholm, Sweden (1994), Deputy Vice-chancellor (Academic), Bayero University (1995 to 1996) and Director, Centre for Democratic Research and Training, Bayero University (2000 to 2004). Jega was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University in 2005.

    He is a former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and was an opponent of the Babangida military government in the early 1990s. Politically leaning towards the left, as ASUU President he was closely associated with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and continued that connection throughout his career. On April 29, 2010 he was guest lecturer for the NLC May Day celebration where he presented a paper on “50 Years of Nationhood: Challenges of Good Democratic Governance, Credible Election and the Working Class”. He is widely seen as an astute intellectual with a strong sense of ethics and morality.

     

  • Atiku hails Jega

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has hailed the outgoing Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, ProfAttahiru Jega.

    Atiku noted that the INEC boss whose tenure expires today has set an enviable record.

    The former vice president added that the successful conduct of the 2015 general elections with the introduction of Card Reader and Permanent Voters Card (PVC) had tremendously boosted Jega’s reputation and earned him the respect of Nigerians and the international community.

    A statement signed by Mazi Paul Ibe and released by the Atiku Media Office (AMO) in Abuja yesterday quoted the former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as saying Jega disarmed even the worst pessimists.

    Atiku said Jega had made a huge difference in the conduct of credible elections, and that he left no one in doubt that he deserved the appointment in the first place.

    He explained that he was impressed by Jega’s remarkable comportment, patience, calmness and presence of mind under very tense situations.

    The former Vice President noted that Jega had set a standard that would require his successor to work twice as hard to maintain his record and build on it.

    He said it was not how many years an official spent in office that matters, but how he was able to make an impact within the scope of the opportunity he had to serve his country.

    Atiku said: “Prof Jega didn’t disappoint Nigerians, and that history will write a favourable verdict on his impressive record.”

    He therefore challenge the next INEC boss to continue with the various reforms introduced by Jega,  especially by pushing for reforms that might strengthen the Electoral Act and deepen democracy.

    According to Atiku, reforming the Electoral Act would go a long way to consolidate our democratic gains, and build on the efforts to achieve credible elections.

     

  • Jega to lawmakers: Conduct major electoral reforms of Electoral Act

    Jega to lawmakers: Conduct major electoral reforms of Electoral Act

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has called on the National Assembly to be decisive in reforming the Electoral Act and reviewing the Constitution.

    Mr. Jega made the call at a Dinner organised for him by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) the Trade Union Congress and some Civil Society Organisations in Abuja on Friday night.

    “Electoral reform has just begun, a lot more efforts need to be done,” he said.

    “The Justice Muhammed Uwais panel has a lot of good recommendations, which are yet to be taken on board and implemented.”

    The electoral chief added that “between now and 2019, there is sufficient time and scope for us to be able to ensure that additional reform methods can come in.”

    He said INEC under his leadership “made a recommendation two years ago for amendment to the electoral act and the constitution to improve the legal framework before 2015 general elections.

    “Regrettably, it did not materialise up to the time we did the elections, and the existing legal framework is fairly good.

    “It could have been better if the legal framework had been improved.”

    Jega called on the National Assembly to continue to support INEC and give it the necessary encouragement required to improve on the good foundation that had been laid out. He pledged support to future electoral reforms and improvement in the electoral process in the country.

    He commended INEC commissioners and staff for their support and efforts under very difficult circumstances for successful elections in 2015.

    He also commended the labour movement for their continuous support to INEC and the reforms in the electoral process.

    The NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, said the reforms, which the INEC boss brought to bear on the organisation reflected in the 2015 general elections.

    “With commitment, patriotic and honest disposition, Jega was able to, through administrative wizardly, accomplish the historic success of 2015 general elections.

    “That was how Jega was able to outwit our chronic election riggers out of relevance in the innovations of the permanent voter cards and card readers,” he said.

    Wabba advised that whoever would be the next INEC boss should continue with the benchmark set by Jega. He said Nigerians would not accept a reversal of the progress made with the 2015 general elections where the will of the people was truly reflected in the ballot.

    He called for the full implementation of Uwais report, adding that it will go a long way to achieve full credibility in the conduct of elections.

    Salisu Mohammed, Chairman, Labour Party Caretaker Committee, said it was time for Nigerians to build institutions that would have enduring legacies.

    “What happened in the National Assembly is a cause for concern for all who have concern for Nigeria’s future.

    “It shows that our democracy is still in infancy and if care is not taken, we may suffer serious setback,” he said.

    Jega, who conducted Nigeria’s general elections in 2011 and 2015, is set to retire as the Chairman of INEC on Tuesday.

     

  • Jega explains appointment of VCs as returning officers

    Jega explains appointment of VCs as returning officers

    Outgoing chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor  Attahiru Jega, said  that university vice-chancellors were appointed returning officers during the last general elections because they were people with track record of credibility.

    Jega ,speaking with reporters on the sideline of  a dinner organised in his honour by the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) in Abuja said :“We were looking for people with integrity; and we have no doubt that there are many people with integrity in the Nigerian university system.

    “So, it is like a ready-made constituency to get the kind of people we needed for the job to be done.

    “That is not to say that it is only in the universities you can find people of integrity.

    “We know that anybody who has risen in the system to become a vice-chancellor will not for anything damage his or her reputation by pandering to the wishes of politicians.’’

    He expressed his appreciation to the goodwill shown to him by members of the association, adding that he would continue to be a good ambassador of the Nigerian university system.

    Jega said he was delighted to note that the vice-chancellors were pleased with the feat which they collectively achieved in the 2015 elections.

    He, however, said that all staff of INEC contributed to the success of the elections as he alone could not take the glory.

    The INEC chairman said he would proceed on leave and rest at the end of his tenure and return to the university to continue teaching, research and community service afterwards.

    Earlier in his remarks, Prof. Joseph Ajienka, the Chairman of the association, commended Jega for rendering a service to his country creditably and with dignity.

    He also hailed all the vice chancellors that “helped Jega in performing a national task that gave so much credibility to the last elections.”

    “It will go a long way in telling the world that vice-chancellors are capable of serving their country,’’ Ajienka who is the Vice-Chancellor University of Port Harcourt, added.

     

  • Jega, six commissioners to bow out next week

    Jega, six commissioners to bow out next week

    THE tenure of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega and six other national commissioners will end on Tuesday.

    Jega and the commissioners were inaugurated by former President Goodluck E. Jonathan on June 30, 2010, according to a news bulletin by the commission yesterday.

    The affected commissioners are Col. M.K. Hammanga (rtd), Adamawa State (Northeast); Dr. Ishmael Jikiri Igbani, Rivers State (Southsouth); Prof. Lai Olurode, Osun State (Southwest); Dame Gladys Nne Nwafor, Abia State (Southeast); Mrs. Thelma Amata Iremiren, Delta State (Southsouth); and Dr. Nuru A. Yakubu,  Yobe State (Northeast).

    Four other National Commissioners are to leave the commission in July and August this year.

    They are: Dr. Abdulkadir S. Oniyangi, Kwara State (North Central), whose tenure will expire on  July 21; Mrs. Amina Bala Zakari, Jigawa State, (Northwest), whose tenure will also expire on  July 21; Dr. Chris O. Iyimoga, Nasarawa State (Northcentral); and Ambassador (Dr.) Mohammed Ahmad Wali, Sokoto State, (Northwest) tenure will end on  August 11.

    The bulletin indicated that activities at the commission would not in any way be affected by the exit of Jega and the other national commissioners.

    It stated:  “But even as the commission is being depleted, following the progressive expiration of the tenures of National Commissioners, its (INEC’s) work will continue apace and uninterrupted because it can always form a quorum.”

    Section 159 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states that meetings of the commission can be chaired by another person.

    The tenures of 16 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) expired last week and they have left the commission.

  • Jega calls for deployment of election risk management tools

    Jega calls for deployment of election risk management tools

    Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega has called for the introduction of the Election Risk Management (ERM) in the election management of African countries.

    This followed the successfully deployment of ERM tool for the 2015 general elections in Nigeria.

    Jega, according to the Commission’s in house Daily Bulletin made the call on Tuesday at a workshop on ERM post-elections analysis organized in collaboration with International IDEA and African Union, held at INEC’s Electoral Institute Abuja.

    He said:  “the tool has enabled us to do electoral risk mapping to generate data and do analysis to support a range of activities targeted at either mitigating risks or taking proactive measures in ensuring the conduct of free, fair, credible and especially peaceful elections.”

    The INEC outgoing Chairman also assured of the Commission’s willingness “to share experiences and willingness to participate in whatever role it can, in order to ensure utilization of its objective in expanding the organization of the tool in the African continent”.

    Jega also commended the Embassy of the Netherlands, the African Union and International IDEA for their support towards deployment of the tool and also the successful conduct of the 2015 general elections.

    He also charged participants at the workshop to contribute ideas in terms of how to continually improve the framework and the methodology of preventing conflicts and violence in elections.

    Earlier in his remarks, the International IDEA Africa Programme representative, Prof. Adebayo Olukoshi, paid tribute to the INEC Chairman for his exemplary leadership qualities and for “raising the face of the country.”

    He urged that the Nigerian experience be used as a template to share with other African countries.

    On his part, the Representative of the Embassy of the Netherlands, Maurice Paulson, described the 2015 general elections as peaceful and commended the INEC Chairman for the success of the elections.

    He emphasized the role of the deployment of the ERM tool in mitigating violence in the 2015 general elections, adding that his country will encourage its deployment in other African countries.