Prof. Atahiru Jega, a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has expressed optimism that Nigeria will conduct a credible election in 2023 in spite of the current challenges.
Jega said this at a Colloquium in honour of Prof.Adele Jinadu ,a Senior fellow of Center of Democracy Development (CDD), to mark his 79th birthday celebration themed “Adele Jinadu and Electoral Democracy in Nigeria: Knowledge Production and Praxis” organized by the Electoral Hub in Abuja.
He said that inspite of increasing attacks on the facilities of INEC and violence recorded at political campaigns, he was optimistic of a credible election .
” I have a lot of fears about the outcome of the election, but I am an incurable optimist about the future of our country.
“So I remain hopeful that in spite of the recklessness that we see, in spite of the vandalism that we see perpetrated by many of our so called leading politicians,
“We are hopeful that people will mobilize and become effectively engaged in the electoral process, so that we have a good outcome in 2023.
“We can’t give up hope. We still have to engage because the more we engage, the more the possibility of change happening,” he said.
Jega described Jinadu as a beacon of hope for the next generation passionate about the need to reform Nigeria’s electoral process.
He said there was need for the academia to participate actively in politics for the progress and development of the country.
“Nigeria is at a very critical junction when the promises of democratic development are being systemically undermined and eroded.
“I am not a prophet because I can’t see into the future but I hope what is happening now does not affects the poll.
” I think the important thing is that INEC seems to be quite ready, what is important is for Nigerians to realize the importance of this and also for the agencies because it’s not just about Ionic, it’s about several are the agencies that are involved in all this.
“But ultimately, I think the most important thing is for citizens to realize that this is a critical time in history and that the elections of 2023 will be very important in defining the future of the country,” he said.