MILLIONS of Nigerians will readily concur with the statement made by United States’ President, Barack Obama, few days ago, emphasizing that Nigeria’s Independent National Election Commission (INEC) and its chairman deserve special recognition. The story of the historic emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s President-Elect in the just concluded 2015 presidential poll is never complete without a generous mention of the role played by the nation’s electoral umpire, Prof. Attahiru Muhammadu Jega. This is not just about the nail-biting political intrigues that played out before, during and even after the elections. It is more about the astonishing grace, calculative mien, mental acuity and psychological balance that Jega brought to bear on the job despite a barrage of stone-cold attacks against his person mostly by notable political actors in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.
Never in the history of the Nigerian electoral process has an umpire displayed such emotional stamina and an uncanny resolve to toe a tortuous but right path amid clearly provocative taunts by powerful political forces, even in the middle of the arduous task of collation of results. Yet, some would say nothing less is expected of a man with a track record of holding firm to his beliefs as an academic of repute. However, experience has shown that academic brilliance does not necessarily translate into practical reality, especially in Nigeria’s murky political waters. So far, Jega is one of the rare few who have been able to prove to be an exception to the rule.
Interestingly, when President Goodluck Jonathan nominated Jega as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission in June, 2010, it was borne out of the conviction that he was found worthy of a position that had a history of lacking in men that live up to the creed such an office demands— unimpeachable integrity and being a consistent stickler for truth. He was to replace Prof. Maurice Iwu, who was eased out ingloriously after superintending over the disaster called the 2007 elections, which ushered in the late President UmaruYar’Adua and his deputy, Jonathan. That was one election in which the President-elect then, Yar’Adua, publicly acknowledged to be lacking in credibility.
It was, therefore, not surprising that Jonathan, as Acting President, needed to shop for a candidate that would command the respect of the Nigerian electorate and the international community. No doubt, Jega has proven to be a fitting candidate, considering the fact that the major role he played in late President Yar’Adua’s vision to reform the electoral process and forestall a repeat of the traditional electoral heist that brought him into power.
Jega’s resume marks him out as a well-honed academic and seasoned administrator of a noble hue. A snap peep into his profile states: “Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega (OFR) was born on the 11th of January, 1957. From 1963 to 1969, he attended Sabon-Gari/Town Primary School, Jega, where he obtained his Primary School Leaving Certificate; and the West African School Certificate (WASC) and the General Certificate of Education (GCE) O’ Level in 1974 at the Government Secondary School, Birnin-Kebbi. On leaving secondary school, he was admitted into Bayero University College, Kano (ABU, Zaria) for his Advanced Level Certificate studies; after which he proceeded for his undergraduate studies. He graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science Degree (Hon) in Political Science.
“In 1979, after the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in the then Cross River State, he took up appointment with Bayero University, Kano (BUK). He thereafter proceeded to Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA, where he obtained his Masters (1981) and Doctorate (1985) degrees in Political Science specialising in Political Economy. While at Northwestern, he also obtained a Certificate in African Studies.
“Professor Jega’s rich academic career saw him serve at various times as Visiting Research Fellow, University of Stockholm, Sweden (Swedish Institute Fellowship), 1994; Visiting Research Fellow, St. Peter’s College, University of Oxford, 1996; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Bayero University, Kano, 1995-1996; Acting Director, Centre for Research and Documentation (CRD), Kano,1998; and Director, Centre for Democratic Research and Training, Mambayya House, BUK, 2000-2004. He attained the pinnacle on September 6th, 2004, with his appointment as Vice-Chancellor, Bayero University, Kano a position he occupied until his appointment as the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in June 2010.
“Other professional/community service positions held by Professor Jega include being: Member, Presidential Panel on Review and Harmonization and Rationalization of Federal Government Parastatals, Institutions and Agencies, 1999-2000; Member, Governing Council, the African Centre for Democratic Governance (AFRIGOV), 1997 to 2003; Member, Governing Board, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, 2002-2004; Chairman, Governing Board of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), 2003-2004; Member, Presidential Advisory Council on Youth Affairs, 2001-2007; and Member, Vision 20-20-20 Committee, National Working Group on Niger Delta and Regional Development, 2009.
“From 1992 to 1998, Professor Jega was Director of Research, Nigerian Political Science Association; Member, Presidential Panel on Rationalisation and Streamlining of Federal Government Poverty Alleviation Programmes and Institutions, 1999; and Member, Presidential Technical Committee on the Consolidation of the Tertiary Education Sector, 2006-2007. One of his most renowned service positions was as President, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), 1988-1994. He was also Member, Electoral Reform Committee, August 2007- December 2008.”
