Speaking on Thursday, June 12, at The Platform, a Democracy Day event organised by the Covenant Nation in Lagos, Jega disclosed that despite the pressure and temptation, most professors have remained upright and refused to be bought.
“Of course, politicians use all methods of inducements,” he said, “but the fact that only about two professors, not to talk of vice-chancellors, have been prosecuted for electoral offenses, frankly, is statistically insignificant.”
Jega, who served as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from 2010 to 2015, pioneered the use of academics, particularly professors and vice-chancellors, as returning officers and ad hoc staff in national elections.
He explained that the idea was born out of a desire to restore credibility and integrity to Nigeria’s electoral process, which he described as being in a terrible state when he assumed office.
