2023: Promises of democratic development undermined – Jega

Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has said that Nigeria is at a very critical junction when the promises of democratic development are being systemically undermined and eroded.

Prof Jega stated this in an interview with journalists at a colloquium in honour of Senior fellow of Center of Democracy Development (CDD), Professor Adele Jinadu, on his 79th birthday celebration themed: “Adele Jinadu and Electoral Democracy in Nigeria: Knowledge Production and Praxis”, organised by the Electoral Hub in Abuja. 

He said the nation is need of good and knowledgeable people who believe in humanity to address the fundamental need of the people. 

The ex INEC boss said in spite of the recklessness seen and vandalism perpetrated by many of so called leading politicians, he hoped that people would mobilise and become effectively engaged in the electoral process, so that Nigeria would have a good outcome in 2023. 

“We can’t give up hope. We still have to engage because the more we engage, the more the possibility of change happening.”

Jega who described Jinadu as a beacon of hope for the next generation who is passionate about the need to reform Nigeria’s electoral process, stressed the need for academics to participate actively in politics for the progress and development of the country.  

“So I believe that his example really needs to be imbibed by all of us who claim to be academics, who claim to have knowledge, we must put that knowledge to good use for progress and development of our country.”

Former INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Okey Ibeanu expressed optimism that the current happenings in the political space, especially the attacks on INEC facilities would not affect the conduct of the polls. 

In his words, “What is important is for Nigerians to realise the importance of this and also for the agencies because it’s not just about Ionic, it’s about several are the agencies that are involved in all this.

“But ultimately, I think the most important thing is for citizens to realise that this is a critical time in history and that the elections of 2023 will be very important in defining the future of the country. 

“And they have to participate as responsible citizens and also for politicians to realize that it’s not just about them personally, it’s about the country’s future, and therefore, that they have a responsibility to act responsibly in that process.”

Also, Prof Jinadu expressed concerns over the growing vicious attempt to discredit the leadership of INEC in a manner to bring about the reversals of advances, towards the routinisation of electoral democracy in the country, made under Jega and Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. 

“It must be realized that INEC is not the enemy of democracy but those who are afraid of INEC’s daring attempt to routinize electoral integrity as the core of our country’s electoral process and electoral governance and whom we must expose for their diversionary tactics to shift attention from their undemocratic, unpatriotic agenda”, he said.