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Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has criticised the persistent desperation among Nigerian politicians, warning that their “do-or-die” approach to elections continues to erode electoral integrity and hinder democratic progress.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday at the joint graduation ceremony of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and the University of Benin, Jega expressed concern that, despite 25 years of uninterrupted democracy, Nigeria still grapples with electoral malpractice, violence, and public distrust in the electoral process.
“When we observe the desperation of our politicians, it is clear, as former President Obasanjo once said, that many approach elections with a ‘do-or-die’ mentality, determined to win by any means necessary,” he said.
The former INEC chairman, who is also a professor of Political Science at Bayero University, Kano, lamented that such attitudes have severely weakened public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy, leaving the country “literally muddling through democratic development” since 1999.
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While acknowledging that no electoral process is entirely flawless, Jega noted that integrity in elections exists on a continuum, ranging from deeply flawed systems to those approaching global best practices.
He stressed that Nigeria’s political culture, marred for decades by the ruthless pursuit of power, requires “sustained and collective reform efforts” to restore credibility.
“The credibility of elections has a direct impact on the quality of representation and governance,” Jega concluded, urging political actors and institutions to prioritise integrity, accountability, and democratic values in electoral conduct.
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