Prof. Atahiru Jega, a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, 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.
The Colloquium was to mark Jinadu’s 79th birthday celebration, themed: “Adele Jinadu and Electoral Democracy in Nigeria: Knowledge Production and Praxis,” organised by the Electoral Hub in Abuja.
Jega said in spite of increasing attacks on the facilities of INEC and violence recorded at political campaigns, he was optimistic of a credible election.
He said: “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 mobilise 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.”
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 the need for the academia to participate actively in politics for the progress and development of the country.
He added: “Nigeria is at a very critical junction when the promises of democratic development are being systemically undermined and eroded.
“The nation is need of good and knowledgeable people who believe in humanity to address the fundamental need of the people like Jinadu.
“Jinadu did not bury his head in the university system, but is also very active in sharing knowledge and experience in order to reform our politics to clean up our electoral system, and to ensure that we have good governance in this country.”
Former INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Okey Ibeanu, said the 2023 elections would be very important in defining the future of the country.
Ibeanu expressed optimism that the current happenings in the political space, especially the attacks on INEC facilities, would not affect the conduct of the poll.