SO, WHAT IF PROF. JEGA WAS FIRED FROM INEC?

 For some weeks now there have been loud whispers of rumours on the Federal Government’s intentions to relieve Prof Attahiru Jega of his job as INEC’s boss just weeks before Nigeria’s general elections.

It could have been just another tale were it not in Nigeria, but here major events often trail off as rumours before becoming real, hence most government major swings trend in gossips nowadays. This is more so because the current Pres. Goodluck Jonathan led government enjoys very low reputation from majority of the citizens due to his perceived unintelligent or delayed actions over very important state issues.

Recently, before the cancellation of the elections, there has been an outcry from notable figures warning of the perceived removal of the INEC boss though many Nigerians have expressed their disappointment over his inability to move the electoral institution into a state of believable independence from the government so as to give the Nigerian populace a credible election, away from the usual sham manipulated by those in authority. These rumours despite the Government’s weak denial have continued to gain grounds. And ordinary Nigerians as usual have not been given the chance to speak their minds on the matter.

Whether indeed Professor Attahiru Jega, chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), will be sent on terminal leave before the conduct of the general elections slated for March 28 and April 11, 2015 remains to be seen, since his tenure would end soon in June.

The question remains if Prof. Jega has alleviated the INEC institution to a level it can function with or without him because that is exactly what is necessary for the Nigerian society, where institutions are weak while individuals remain stronger.

However, it is also up to the Nigerian society to decide whether the much voiced accolades that initially greeted the appointment of the Professor as someone from the academia and civil society and the belief that he will be the messiah Nigeria has been waiting for has not been misplaced. For many, his handling of previous pocketed elections and the blunder called the PVC, Permanent Voters Card, exercise, where many Nigerians have been disenfranchised, including the postponement of the 2015 general elections which took him four years to prepare, are a pointer that this elections might just be another disappointment.

By
Marty Eteng