Attahiru Jega

Attahiru Jega: Can He Make Any Difference?

Segun Imohiosen

In view of the recent development on the political terrain in the country, with the ousting of Professor Maurice Iwu, the appointment of Professor Attahiru Jega after rigorous screening as the Chairman of the hitherto controversial electoral body - INEC has attracted the attention of Nigerians in different quarters. The political class at different levels has had one thing or another to say, some positive and some negative. The PDP and AC especially, have had a face-off on the appointment due to the comment of the AC to PDP that the appointment of the Professor is “making PDP members jittery”, a controversial comment credited to Mr. President in one of the papers. Be it as it may, you cannot overrule these kinds of comments whether damaging or constructive - people are entitled to their opinions. But then, the fact that seems to carry the day is the greater percentage of the report that affirmed the integrity of the chosen person with regards to his track record.

According to Nwachukwu Egbunike of ‘Feathers Project’, he says Jega is an “unrepentant optimist”. This is one man who fought and believed that Nigeria will one day be freed from the shackles of the military; and that democracy will not only prevail but will become a way of life. Professor Muhammadu Attahiru Jega who was a onetime President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) between 1988 and 1994 was renowned for his astuteness and his relentless effort to fight a cause to its logical conclusion. He is no neophyte in the political arena of the country. He made history as one of the most powerful president ASUU ever had. He has also proved himself to be an erudite scholar of political science - highly respected even among those who claim to have true knowledge of politics. There is no doubt his resume speaks volume considering the feat achieved as a university teacher and don. His recruitment straight from the University (BUK) from the position of a Vice Chancellor to take up a national assignment of this magnitude is no doubt a challenge that will require a man of integrity and someone incorruptible to handle. As much as the piece is not to hold brief for Jega, the things known and read about him is a guarantee for the position. This is one man who will never care whose ox is gored in order to get the best for the country.

It is possible to conduct free and fair election for 2011, but one key factor that must not be overlooked is that the caliber of people involved in election fraud and malpractices are not the usual university people and representatives of government that Jega has been most familiar with over the years. The fear here, is that the human factor at the level of election process are horrible and can act as a cog in the wheel of progress of this university don in carrying out his national responsibility.

The assurance and guarantee that these “powerful people” will not disrupt the polls is what the government should work on or look out for. Although, so far, it is a step in the right direction for Mr. President to have dropped the likes of the would-be INEC National Commissioners - Major General Abdullahi Bagudu Mamman (rtd) a member of the Board of Trustees of PDP representing the FCT and Ambassador Mohammed Zakki Anka who contested the governorship seat of PDP in Zamfara State in 1999 due to their involvement in partisan politics. This ordinarily is a good criterion. I can’t imagine how these people can function neutrally being members of a particular political party and would not be found wanting in the election process. The likes of Professor Lai Olorode (Osun/South West) are other notable character of integrity in the days of Ife at the University and some of the other Commissioners in spite of some form of misgivings by a shade of people in the society cannot afford to mess up considering where they are coming from, the reputation which took them a while to achieve. They say “a good name is better silver and gold”. We know some don’t give a hoot about names any more but there are still a few who cares. This is why Jega could qualify for the post in the first place and some of these other Commissioners. Dr. Nuru Yakubu (Yobe), Gladys Nwankwo (Abia), Ishmael Igbani (Rivers), Mrs. Thelma Iremiren (Delta) and Dr. Oniyangi (Kwara) would all have to work concertedly to support Jega to deliver credible election.

What these people stand for is what will make way for them. So, if Jega has these kinds of people with proven integrity to serve with him, the fear will be doused reasonably. But as it was mentioned earlier, the government will need to allow these people a free hand in the true sense of independence and at the end of the day, integrity will speak for them in carrying out their national assignment. However, whatever happens, I just know there is a spiritual force somewhere controlling the affairs of Nigeria following the trend of event for some time. This is why people with ulterior motives and selfish desires to thwart the 2011 polls will see the wrath of God and I believe will end up in jail for the sake of the average Nigerian.

With or without new electoral laws or reforms, a new strategy has to be adopted to monitor the entire process that will not give room to any back door activity that will in turn make a mockery of the exercise. The commissioners that will have to work with Jega have to be guaranteed that they will not be bought over by the usual political fathers and money bags. Maurice Iwu would never have had a field day in the election malpractices if there were no other players involved. After all, the Professor couldn’t have been that ubiquitous to have been able to cover the entire States of the federation without some buttons in place helping out in the illicit game.

In the political environment of the country till date, one of the things that Nigerians should be aware of is the fact that Mr. President did not spend a dime on electioneering campaign and he assumed power without any opposition. How God moved him from the position of a deputy Governor in Bayelsa till he became Nigerian President should be a litmus test for Nigerians. They need to be wary of their comments and see the hands of God in everything around Jonathan Goodluck. This could not have been possible if not God. The same thing is applicable here in the appointment of Jega. It is true that there is no similitude in the choice of Jega and Mr. President but my take is that something beyond the control of the people is at work in all of this. Irrespective of the mettle of Jega and his unwavering personality over the years, why was he not considered before the likes of Iwu, why now? God’s hand is in the affairs of Nigeria and this is the more reason why people should be careful of what they do with regards to the 2011 election. What is happening presently is beyond anybody.

Jega ordinarily is a round peg in a round hole. In terms of timing, considering the closeness of the election, the appointment of Jega apparently may appear belated but in terms of choice, he is a good choice. This is one man with a track record of success, achievement, doggedness and tenacity. Whether Jega is the right choice is unquestionable as it were because records have proven him fit for the position. The possibility is there that there are individuals who may not be as popular as Jega in the country but this is one figure whose activities have not passed unnoticed. I remember Col. Umar (rtd), also a man with proven integrity. But then the criteria employed may have excluded this kind of person but these are the people true Nigerians wish to be given the opportunity to serve in places like INEC to deliver credible polls.

Today there is paradigm shift in the governance of Nigeria which transcends the understanding of any ordinary person. This goes beyond the issue of the billions of Naira stashed away by some power brokers to rig election. It is just that the time has come for another group among Nigerians within a particular age bracket to emerge and run the affairs of the country. Jega as far as I am concerned is that 'radical' that could be entrusted to uphold transparency in respect of the 2011 polls that will no doubt put the records straight. There is no doubt about the fact that stemming from his life-style, if he would be muzzled, this man could afford to walk out on anybody irrespective of their position. In fact, even Mr. President cannot influence this man negatively; Goodluck has told him that the students Jega taught over the years are watching, so is the rest of the world, they all would want to know if he will uphold his ideals. That is a big challenge. His records are speaking volume and would not wish to have them tarnished. It is in no doubt that standards will be upheld. But Jega will need our prayers so badly because you never can tell what the political mafia and cartel are planning. The outcome of 2011 polls is not only the concern of Nigerians but the entire world as a whole and so must be handled with the highest standard without any compromise.

It must be recalled that the lack of faith in the leadership of the Nigerian leaders is traceable to the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to produce a water tight true result that will produce true leaders in the country. The national electoral body is disappointedly a paradox of its nomenclature, unfortunately very dependent on the mafia that controls it. It is however not out of place to equally hold Jega by his words of assurance to Nigerians and the rest of the world when he assumed office that he will be committed and will ensure that INEC will be truly independent and impartial and should bring about free and fair election come 2011. The Political Science Professor has assured the people that he has come to the office with a commitment to do his best and ensure that this aspiration and goal are achieved. Can he really make a difference? Let's wait and see.