Attahiru Jega, the former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has called on President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the recent appointments of Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs). In an interview on Channels Television on Monday, Jega emphasized that individuals with partisan inclinations should not be appointed as INEC RECs.
In October, President Tinubu nominated 10 individuals for confirmation as INEC RECs, including Umoren, an ally of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Despite petitions against some of the nominees, the Senate confirmed them in November.
Jega, expressing his concern, urged the President to review the appointments promptly. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process and protecting the independence and impartiality of the electoral body.
“My advice is to immediately review the appointment of resident electoral commissioners that were passed by the senate recently,” Jega stated. “Not only does it send the wrong signals about the government’s integrity to improve the electoral process, it also suggests that there is indifference to protecting the independence and impartiality of the electoral body. I want to believe that Mr. President was misinformed or rarely furnished with the necessary details. With regards to these appointments, review them and it is not too late.”
On the broader context of Nigerian politics, Jega expressed his concerns about the “reckless” and “do-or-die” attitude of many politicians towards the electoral process. He acknowledged improvements in the use of technology during elections but highlighted that the mindset of politicians remains a challenge.
“If there is an area where not much has changed, it is the mindset in which most politicians engage with the electoral process,” he remarked. “There are good politicians but they are few. Majority of them, I regret to say, are desperate. They engage with the mindset of either I win or they pull the roof down on everybody. We have also seen recklessness in the way politicians mobilise money and got to the polling stations very brazenly and openly.”
