Nigeria Content Online

Muhammadu Buhari, former Head of State:

What concerned all
of us is the elections with INEC. I think it is the most important memo
we discussed. The substantive work of the National Council is only, I
think, about census, national honours, and the election of the chair of
INEC. Note that all other things are at the pleasure of the president.
He can advise us or he can withdraw. We have the CVs of all those
recommended and I think they are worthy Nigerians of the positions
approved for them. We appreciate the seriousness of having a free and
fair election next year.

Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, chairman of ANPP:

Anybody who loves
this country must not make the mistake of the past; that merely because
somebody belongs to the university world, that he can handle the
complex Nigerian situation. I believe that Jega, lets see what he can
do. But people from that line, the academia, have failed us in the INEC
world. I felt that we would have looked for somebody completely
neutral; particularly people from the judiciary. Retired high court
judges or retired Supreme Court judges should have been a better
option. We are going to face the same problem we faced with Iwu,
because he has not got any political experience. He has not mixed with
anybody in politics.

Ehiawarie Eferakeya, senator, PDP Delta State:

I cannot comment on
him because I do not know him in person. Being a unionist does not tell
the true character of a person. You will only know whether he can
deliver if he has held such positions before.

Adams Oshiomhole, Edo State governor:

Jega is eminently
qualified for the job because he is capable of bringing to bear the
courage, independence and integrity necessary to lead INEC. With Jega
as chairman, I believe that INEC would be in safe hands and we can
expect fundamental improvements in the conduct of elections. People
like him are much better to nurture the democratic project.