Insists Only Academics Can Withstand Pressure of Nigerian Politics
Abuja — Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has made a stunning revelation, insisting that Nigeria must continue to rely on university professors to conduct elections — despite politicians persistently offering them bribes.
Speaking during a high-level election integrity forum in Abuja, Jega didn’t mince words: “Many politicians approached our returning officers with money. Some even offered houses and international trips. But our choice of professors, known for their discipline and credibility, saved the system from complete collapse.”
The former INEC boss, who led the commission through two general elections, including the historic 2015 poll that saw an opposition party win the presidency for the first time, said professors are “not perfect but far better equipped to resist inducements.”
According to Jega, removing academics from the electoral process would amount to “handing over elections to mercenaries,” and warned that Nigerian democracy may not survive such a move.
His revelation has sparked a new wave of public debate about electoral integrity, with civil society groups calling for deeper investigations into politicians accused of trying to corrupt election officials.
“We Knew the Pressure Would Come”
Jega noted that INEC, during his tenure, deliberately recruited from academia to raise the moral bar in election management. “We knew the pressure would come — and it did,” he said. “But many of the professors stood their ground, even in the face of life-threatening intimidation.”
Politicians React
While some politicians dismissed the claims as “generalized and unfair,” others have called for stricter penalties for vote manipulation and interference.
As Nigeria inches closer to another election cycle, Jega’s bombshell serves as a stern reminder of the battles behind the ballot — and the silent heroes in classrooms who help safeguard the nation’s democracy.
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