The legendary chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega is expected to retire at the end of June even as he vowed to clear the backlog of all promotions in the Commission before he leaves.
In what looked like a valedictory speech, the INEC Chairman said that the Commission under his watch had laid a good foundation on which subsequent Commissions could build.
Speaking at a gala night organized for outgoing Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at the Le Meridien Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, Professor Jega said he felt fulfilled with the outcome of the 2015 general elections, which he said was appreciated by most Nigerians.
Professor Jega was quick to acknowledge, however, that the brilliant performance of the Commission was as a result of the combined efforts of the management and staff who worked tirelessly and under difficult circumstances.
He attributed the success of the elections to the manner the management and staff worked and related like a family.
Though he said the task of electoral reforms had just begun, but said: “the foundation for good, continuous elections have been laid. Thank you for supporting me and working for the success we have achieved.”
Professor Jega prayed that God should bless the Commission’s workers who he said raised the bar by giving their best, adding: “may God give you the best in your life endeavours. May God Almighty continue to bless you.”
He said it was a privilege and honoured for him to lead people with tremendous integrity and intellectual ability.
Barrister Mike Igini who gave the vote of thanks at the occasion, said that Professor Jega delivered on his promise to conduct free, fair and credible elections.
“Looking back, your team, working with you, conducted credible and acceptable elections, though not perfect,” Igini noted.
Meanwhile Professor Jega has ruled out the prospect of any “automatic promotion for the INEC staff.
This was even as he said that states which did not create or activate Registration Area Centres (RACs) during the last general elections will be directed to account for their inability.
He warned about reverting to what obtained in the past where Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and Electoral Officers (EOs) returned election outcomes, insisting that by appointing Returning Officers outside INEC, “remarkable improvement was brought to the process.”
He observed that the strain on RECs and EOs during elections was too much and further saddling them with the task of returning election outcomes tended to make them prone to mistakes.
“The strain is too much. They are not superhuman and they will make mistakes.”
He expressed delight that most of the Returning Officers appointed by the Commission in the 2011 and 2015 General Elections were above board.
He observed that the retreat made a number of brilliant suggestions, which when taken on board by the next Commission, would remarkably improve the electoral process. [myad]
