Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Attahiru Jega, has revealed the perceive weakness and manipulation of INEC, ahead of the forthcoming elections, in 2019.
Jega made this disclosure on Monday, in Kano, while answering questions from participants at a Public Lecture titled: ‘Electoral Democracy and Integrity in Nigeria: Reflections on INEC’s Transformation 2011-2015’, organised by the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Research and Training, Mambayya House.
Jega who served as INEC Chairman, and left when his first renewable tenure expired shortly after he conducted the 2015 general elections, called for the legislation of appointment of Chairman of INEC.
He said giving autonomy to INEC in funding and appointment of its Chairman and Commissioners, was critical to the achievement of credible elections in the future.
Jega explained that although the ex-Chief Justice of Nigeria, Lawal Uwais-led Electoral Reform Committee had recommended that INEC should be given the autonomy to appoint its Chairman and Commissioners, the call was not accepted by the Executive.
“Still, the President nominates INEC’s Chairman. It is important to legislate the appointment of the INEC Chairman”, he said, adding that, despite the fact that Nigeria had achieved a lot, there was need for more reforms.
“Ghana that we celebrate, has the worst process of appointing Chairman of its electoral body. Once the President nominates, the nominee will obviously emerge as Chairman, and will stay on that position until he reaches his retirement age, which is 70”, he revealed.
Jega also admitted that INEC had gotten relative autonomy in terms of funding, because of the recommendations given by the Justice Uwais-led Committee, which he said had legislative backing.
“INEC currently has account with the CBN, where it controls all its money. This has given the Commission relative autonomy in terms of funding; once money is released into its account, it can control it”, he said.
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