Jega’s task is enormous, say activists
The Nigeria Labour
Congress has described the task ahead of elections’ boss, Attahiru
Jega, as enormous, stating that the electoral commission presently
lacks the operating environment that is required for him to succeed in
the office
“The question of
financial autonomy of INEC is highly imperative at this time so that
the new INEC chair would hit the ground running given the enormous
responsibilities awaiting him especially in cleaning up the messed-up
electoral register and other critical logistics that will ensure a
smooth general election in 2011,” said Abdulwahed Omar, NLC president.
Meanwhile, the Mega
Party Movement, applauded the nomination of Mr Jega. In a statement
signed by its secretary, Wale Okuniyi, yesterday, the party said Mr.
Jega’s appointment was a major victory for Nigerians who have been
agitating for an electoral umpire with high pedigree and integrity. The
party described Mr Jega as an icon of the democratic struggle, adding
that his nomination has restored hope and opened a new vista of faith
in Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2011 general elections.
The way forward
It also hailed the
selection of Lai Olurode and other members on the new board of INEC,
and advised them not to allow themselves to be tainted. The party also
advised the federal government to fully observe the process of
electoral reforms recommended by the Muhammadu Uwais-led panel.
Another group,
Human Rights’ Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has challenged Mr
Jega to put in place a credible voters’ register for Nigerians.
Born in Jega on 11
Jan., 1957, Attahiru Jega attended Sabon Gari Primary School between
1963 and 1969 and Government Secondary School, Birnin Kebbi. He went to
Bayero University, Kano (BUK) in 1974 and graduated in 1978 with second
class upper division B.Sc. in Political Science. He started his career
as a graduate assistant with BUK and rose to become a professor, and
then vice chancellor of the university in 2005. His tenure as vice
chancellor is expected to end in October.
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