The Man Attahiru Jega
Written by Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, Kano
The new National Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Mohammed Jega, hails from Jega town in Kebbi State. He was among pioneer lecturers employed at the then newly established Bayero University, Kano (BUK), immediately after graduating from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, with a B.Sc degree in Political Science.
Not long after his assumption of duty as a graduate assistant, Jega went to Northwestern University , Evanston, in the United States, where he bagged a Masters of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. He was also on sabbatical and duty leave to several universities within and outside the country.
He was variously promoted to the ranks of lecturer II, lecturer I, Reader and Professor of Political Science. Jega also served as Head of the Department of Political Science, Dean of the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, and Director of the Centre for Democratic Research and Training (CDRT Mambayya House), all in BUK.
He was the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) between 1988 and 1994.
The professor was appointed as vice-chancellor of Bayero University in September 2005. His five-year tenure would be ending next September.
Jega was a Federal Government delegate to the National Political Reform Conference (NPRC) in 2005 and also served in the Electoral Reform Committee, led by Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais, set up by the then President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.
Though best known as a labour activist and astute academic, Jega displayed great administrative traits as the vice-chancellor of BUK. Under his watch, the university underwent transformation in various facets, earning the position of Best University in Nigeria according to the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Jega is also reputed to be a strict disciplinarian. He introduced strict rules against indecent dressing on the two campuses of BUK and placed campus politics under critical watch. Jega introduced many courses to the university and erected several structures, including hostels and lecture halls.
His policies endeared him to most student of the institution, who call him with the endearing sobriquet of Baba Jega.
Sources said Prof. Jega, who is the elder brother of Daily Trust editor Mahmud Jega, is a one-time consultant for INEC.
Prof. Jega is the author of the book, Democracy, Good Governance and Development in Nigeria, published by Spectrum Books in 2007.
FRM:Leadership
All Eyez on you. Allah taya ka riko.
Its a master stroke on the part of GJ to appoint Jega as the INEC chairman
It shows him as a free and fair man and out for whats best for Nigeria. It also makes him win my vote for the next presidential election!!
Up PDP!!! Up GJ!!! Hip Hip Hoorray!!!!
This is a good sign. I only hope Mallam Jega is not caught up the string of Nigeria's dirty politics. I would hate to see him lose his good name. Allah Ya taimake shi yayi aiki da gaskiya.
thats right bkgz, all we can do is pray, n pray really hard. these politicians are conniving SOBs, n i dont believe jonathan ll appoint smone dat ll not protect his interest, d guy is not that holy.
fellow nigerians lets pray for jega, Allah give him d will to do the right thing!
Traditionally, the head of the National electoral body is picked from tribes or geo-political regions other than that of major contestants for the presidency: for the simple reason of having an impartial umpire. Comrades don't you see the choice of Prof. Jega as INEC chair tacitly blocking the North-West geopolitical zone from fielding a presidential candidate of the ruling party come 2011? With this development I wouldn't be surprise if the next chairman of the ruling party also emerged from the North-West geo-political zone.
Aliyu, it depends on what you term as geo-political region here; if by that term you mean the 6 zones, then Jega coming from the North West does not preclude North Central (e.g Niger) or North East (Adamawa) from producing a powerfull (albeit not necessarily credible) candidate. If however you mean the North/south divide, then throughout Obj's term, it has always been a southerner that has Chaired INEC. I think the main issue at stake is free and fair elections such as the one that produced June 12 and 1999 (Obj), at the very least. With that, I make bold to say may the best person win, regardless of zone.
The selection of Jega as the head of INEC has been applauded by almost everyone.
Now my question.
How do you think Jega can uphold credible elections?
There are 10 commissioners also selected alongside Jega.
Does Jega have the independence to select the credible people(resident commissioners) to help him conduct the elections?
I think he has a huge task ahead of him given the high hopes people have in him.
Its good to be good!
Quote from: gogannaka on June 14, 2010, 12:11:48 PM
The selection of Jega as the head of INEC has been applauded by almost everyone.
Now my question.
How do you think Jega can uphold credible elections?
There are 10 commissioners also selected alongside Jega.
Does Jega have the independence to select the credible people(resident commissioners) to help him conduct the elections?
I think he has a huge task ahead of him given the high hopes people have in him.
Its good to be good!
If we take a cue from the 2007 general elections, the entire excercise failed even before election day. Reasons; well no comprehensive electoral register, politicizing of candidate screening (Atiku), not enough personell to man electoral wards, not enough printed votes, lack of security numbering on the electoral votes (which had been paid for but was not delivered), not following the right procedure in announcement of results..... I am sure there are hundreds of failings that could be attributed to the man in charge, Iwu. So if Jega decides not to be Iwu, and be himself, then that will go a long way in making a difference.
I would want Jega to set an election standard.
If any election fails to reach that standard then t should be officially annulled.
Any voting center where voters or INEC officials are harassed or threatened should have the results disqualified.
All centers should have their materials in time.
Agents should meet an integrity requirement. Thugs should not be allowed as agents.
Resident electoral officers/commissioners should be lodged at a very secure location where they will not interact with the political office holders.
Presidential and gubernatorial elections should be held same day and results announced at centers.
Had it been that he came in early i would have recommended the electronic voting.
Quote from: gogannaka on June 14, 2010, 04:30:25 PM
I would want Jega to set an election standard.
If any election fails to reach that standard then t should be officially annulled.
Any voting center where voters or INEC officials are harassed or threatened should have the results disqualified.All centers should have their materials in time.
Agents should meet an integrity requirement. Thugs should not be allowed as agents.
Resident electoral officers/commissioners should be lodged at a very secure location where they will not interact with the political office holders.
Presidential and gubernatorial elections should be held same day and results announced at centers.
Had it been that he came in early i would have recommended the electronic voting.
A tall order in Nigeria. How do you screen out agents on the basis of who's a thug and who's not? Ai dukkan agents din yan siyasan najeriya thugs ne. And when you say any polling voting centre where INEC officials are harrased or threatened shold be disqualified, you are inviting chaos. Believe me the moment those thugs sense that their candidate is losing in any particular polling unit, they would simply make trouble so that the the centre's votes are disqualified and won't count in the final analysis. The best is to provide adequate security and ensusre that the security agents act in an impartial manner. There should also be a clearly announced punishement (jail, fine, etc) for any security agent and/or INEC official caught conniving with political agents.
That sounds like a good suggestion too.
I just read in the news that most of the 19 resident electoral commissioners are members of the PDP.
I don't see any way free and fair elections can be conducted with card carrying members of the ruling party holding forte at INEC.
"For instance, Amb Mohammed Anka was a PDP governorship aspirant in Zamfara State in 2007, Gen A. B. Mamman is a well known chieftain of the PDP in the Federal Capital Territory while Yakubu Shehu was a PDP senatorial aspirant in Kaduna State in 2007."
Gaskiya Jega has a lot of work to do.
Quote from: gogannaka on June 16, 2010, 11:54:25 AM
That sounds like a good suggestion too.
I just read in the news that most of the 19 resident electoral commissioners are members of the PDP.
I don't see any way free and fair elections can be conducted with card carrying members of the ruling party holding forte at INEC.
For instance, Amb Mohammed Anka was a PDP governorship aspirant in Zamfara State in 2007, Gen A. B. Mamman is a well known chieftain of the PDP in the Federal Capital Territory while Yakubu Shehu was a PDP senatorial aspirant in Kaduna State in 2007.
Gaskiya Jega has a lot of work to do.
Certainly 'an ce hannu daya baya daukan daki', Jega by himself cannot deliver free and fair elections for us. Every citizen has a role to play on this issue. The very least the electorates could do is to cast their votes. A repeat of 'A kasa a tsare a raka' will also do a lot to curtail rigging. The trouble with "us" the ordinary citizens, is that we are expecting a quick solution to our problems, that does not necessarily involve us taking any proactive role. We all want a change in the system to occur either miraculously or through 'someone elses' goodwill, but never through our inputs.
Allah ya taimake ka Baba Jega, amin.
Quote from: gogannaka on June 16, 2010, 11:54:25 AM
That sounds like a good suggestion too.
I just read in the news that most of the 19 resident electoral commissioners are members of the PDP.
I don't see any way free and fair elections can be conducted with card carrying members of the ruling party holding forte at INEC.
"For instance, Amb Mohammed Anka was a PDP governorship aspirant in Zamfara State in 2007, Gen A. B. Mamman is a well known chieftain of the PDP in the Federal Capital Territory while Yakubu Shehu was a PDP senatorial aspirant in Kaduna State in 2007."
Gaskiya Jega has a lot of work to do.
I read today that the said commisioners might likely be removed. I smelt something fishy about the whole thing. Is the president saying he wasn't aware that they are PDP members when he appointed them as electoral commisioners?
QuoteI read today that the said commisioners might likely be removed. I smelt something fishy about the whole thing. Is the president saying he wasn't aware that they are PDP members when he appointed them as electoral commisioners?
Thats President GEJ's style ;) abracadabra: the more you see; the less you understand.
Ni tsiyata da ku Nigerians shine ba zaku taba daukar abu at its face value ba sai kun kawo hidden motives and counter motives. Dan Allah give GJ a chance mana!! Ya nada Jega, let our best prayers be for the good of the country, not for whether ana blocking some other zone's chances of producing a Northerner as a prez. Ni as long as za ai adalci kuma kasa ta ci gaba, biri ma yazo ya zama shugaban kasa.
Shi kuma Jega, ai an zabe shi ne akan merit. Sai wanda ya san BUK yadda take a da kuma ya ganta yanzu, kuma ya san yadda Jega yayi gwagwarmaya da IBB lokacin yana shugaban kasa, yasan cewa lallai Jega is a diamond in the rough, kokuwa ma a rare specimen of Nigerian humanity. He is as of now incorruptible and we hope he remains so, and as far as I am concerned,GJ saw that incorruptible quality in him and went for it.
Why cant we give shi GJ the benefit of the doubt and just believe that he is trying to act in a sincere manner? Why should we always attribute covert motives to actions even when they look genuinely genuine and above board as far as fair play goes? Are we trying to tell ourselves that we have become so jaded that we cant get at least one person whom we can attribute some goodness to?
Jega maybe one good egg in a crate of supposedly bad eggs, but we all know one has to have a good captain at the helm of a
ship, for it to sail smoothly and without mutiny. So whatever and whoever the INEC lieutenants are, they will generally follow the leader as it were, if for nothing other than to save their jobs, and if u have good organization as one member here pointed out, (and Jega is phenomenal at organizing!!), then I dont see why we cant have credible elections in Nigeria.
I tend to lean towards (or away from) individuals based on what I see not what I surmise will happen. So take heart don Allah, u diehard skeptics, and give GJ a chance!!
Now i can see where Husnaa is heading for the first time
in kanoonline supporting a government decision - lol this
time around we are birds of the same feather.
Jega, a sa wuta, your first step is the immediate redeployment
of all the top officials (Directors) and bring in new ones to
avoid sabotage.
Husnaa, we were only voicing our concern over the nomination of PDP members as INEC commissioners.
It is so serious that GJ has now told the PDP NEC that he will drop all card carrying members of the PDP from INEC.
Tell me how you expect credible elections to be held if the electoral body is filled with PDP members.
We are not just pointing it out for opposition purposes.
Here are his words:
"It was just like we came up with the list of people that would be in INEC and people raised some issues that some of them had played key roles in political parties.
"It is difficult to say that this man is not in a political party, but if he plays some key roles in the political, then, of course, there is no way he would not be biased.
"We said look, we are going to withdraw those people and we have written letters to withdraw them. So, we feel the pulse of Nigerian and we promise Nigerians that we will do our best to make sure that their votes count.
"In terms of governance, for the remaining period we will be in office, we will do our best in the area of good governance."
Thank God he has decided to drop the PDP members. I say he gives Jega a chance to nominate the commissioners. That makes the commission more independent.
On Thursday, i boarded a plane with Prof Jega and i was amazed at his humility. He collected his boarding pass(himself) and patiently followed the boarding que. He did what every normal passenger did without being pompous or demanding VIP treatment. While at the que, a hefty man that looked like an 'honourable' came with his police orderly and asked if they've announced boarding to Kano and when he was told yes,quickly shunted the que and went straight to the screening point.
I saw in Jega a truly humble person that can sincerely organise credible elections.
May God help him.
@Aunty Huzaa, take it esay mana, is like kin bata ranki if we consider ur 1st managa. Gaskiya i agreed da aganarki cewa muyi musu addu'a which i think is d best.
Quote from: Bajoga on June 21, 2010, 04:31:41 PM
@Aunty Huzaa, take it esay mana, is like kin bata ranki if we consider ur 1st managa. Gaskiya i agreed da aganarki cewa muyi musu addu'a which i think is d best.
Hehehe ko kadan. havent u heard of stirring up the hornets'nest? S'what I'm doing ;D ;D see? i got GGNK to say something!!! as well as u!!! Never mind about DB, he is carried in which ever direction the wind is blowing !!! hehehehe!!
YES! being from that part of our country that Jega works, I have been encountering questions about the truism of His integrity, and did my best to say what I know honestly about the man. I think it is really high time we put down the tools of croynism and un warranted conspiracy theories and face the realities of our days. There is no way we can get credible elections where the president did not appoint a credible person atleast somebody that will be accepted as such by all sections of Nigeria. And I think that is what he actually did. Now the president have nominated the chairman and commissioners and he made sure all partisans were dropped. This is good. However, unlike what GGNK advocated; I dont think the constitution allows anybody but the president to nominate the commisioners. Atleast we can celebrate an achievement where the Rightists and the leftists unanimously agreed on an issue in the country- Jega's appointment. I dont think there was any point in our history that we collectively agreed with any one govt action but now. :-\ :-\
University teachers Monday spoke on the appointment of Prof Attahiru Jega, as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) said he got the job as an individual and not as its representative.
He is on his own, ASUU said.
The teachers also dismissed next year's general election, saying Nigerians should not expect credible, free and fair polls. They believed that there is no enough time for INEC members "to achieve meaningful changes in the system."
Speaking during a press conference at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUAU), Umudike, Abia State Monday, the President of the union, Prof Ukachukwu Awuzie, said Prof Jega took the appointment on his personal credibility, adding that the new INEC man may not be able to bring the much needed change in the electoral system if the right environment was not created for credible election.
His words: "Yes, we believe he has honour and he is one of us, but we know that until the value system, structure and attitude of politicians to power changes, there may not be free and fair elections in the true sense of it. We hope Jega would be able to do the right thing, but we should not delude ourselves of having a free and fair poll with the characters on stage right now. The environment for credible poll has not been created".
Prof Awuzie called for enough political education by the governments at all levels for the electorate, adding that it is even difficult for the electorate to vote the right candidate.
He wondered how credible polls could hold when the state governments won all the seats in local government elections, and the Federal Government controls the police and army and other agencies needed to ensure such credibility in the polls.
The AASUU president said that achieving credible election is not really the problem in the country, but emergence of credible candidates through credible process is the major problem and called for proper way to see that credible candidates emerges during congresses.
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I wonder when Nigerian's will become positive minded.
The statement by ASUU above show how generally pessimistic we are.
I don tire!
We are a pessimistic bunch agreed. But not without reason. There's sense in what they are saying. When the head of the electoral body doesn't appoint his lieutenants, one can't be too confident. Witness how the the federal govt tried to "smuggle" in PDP card carrying members as Commisioners, but for the vigilance of the Press and the people. The whole system needs overhauling. However, his appointment gives hope.
We've had Maurice Iwuruwuru. I hope this won't be Attahiru Jegajaga.