Jega Defends Use of Professors in Elections, Cites Their Integrity and Vital Role in Democracy

LAGOS — Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has defended the continued engagement of Nigerian university professors in the nation’s electoral processes, describing them as individuals of proven integrity who have withstood bribes and intense political pressure.

Speaking at The Platform, a Democracy Day event organized by Covenant Nation in Lagos to commemorate June 12, Jega strongly advocated for retaining academics in election duties, despite isolated cases of misconduct. His remarks come amid ongoing debates about the credibility of Nigeria’s elections and calls for reform in the selection of electoral officers.

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Jega: Professors Have Been Pillars of Credibility in Elections

Jega, a seasoned political scientist and former Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, initiated the policy of involving professors and vice-chancellors as returning officers and key ad hoc personnel during his tenure at INEC from 2010 to 2015. The rationale, he explained, was to inject trust, neutrality, and professionalism into a system riddled with partisanship and corruption.

“Elections were terrible by the time we came to INEC,” Jega recalled during his Democracy Day address. “So, I used the vice-chancellors to help us get academic staff with good, transparent selection criteria, which they vouch for. That’s how we started using academic staff during elections.”

He noted that following the 2011 general elections, professional bodies like the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) expressed interest in contributing to the process. However, Jega and his team opted to maintain the existing model with professors due to its success and the minimal record of abuse.

“When you are doing something and it works, why change it?” he asked rhetorically. “We stuck with the professors, and I can tell you frankly, the level of integrity they brought to the election is unmatched.”

Few Cases of Misconduct, but Not a Basis for Policy Reversal

Jega acknowledged that a few academic staff members had been implicated in electoral malpractice, but he stressed that these incidents were statistically insignificant when compared to the overall number of professors involved.

“A vice-chancellor who has served 35 years in the university system, who has a few years to retire, a substantial overwhelming majority of them are not going to damage their integrity that they built over the years on the matters of election,” he said.

He further asserted, “Politicians use all methods of inducements, but the fact that only about two professors—let alone vice-chancellors—have been prosecuted for electoral offenses is not enough to discredit the entire system.”

Jega emphasized that no system is perfect, and isolated cases should not form the basis for discarding a process that has helped restore public confidence in Nigerian elections, especially during a time when credibility was dangerously low.

Ongoing Commitment to Electoral Reform

Currently serving as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council at Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education, Kano, and a member of the International Elections Advisory Council, Jega remains actively involved in shaping electoral policies and reforms in Nigeria and abroad.

He continues to advocate for measures that strengthen the independence and integrity of INEC and other democratic institutions, emphasizing that transparency, professionalism, and public trust are essential for the survival of democracy in Nigeria.

“Institutional credibility cannot be bought or forced—it must be earned and safeguarded,” Jega said. “That’s why we must protect structures and practices that work, even as we improve on their shortcomings.”

Public Reaction and Broader Implications

Jega’s defense of professors comes at a time when INEC has faced criticism over the conduct of recent elections, with concerns about logistical failures, transparency, and the neutrality of electoral officers.

His remarks have been welcomed by some members of the academic and political communities, who view the involvement of university staff in elections as a practical and trusted measure, especially in a politically charged environment where impartiality is often in short supply.

Dr. Amina Adamu, a political analyst and senior lecturer at the University of Abuja, commented, “Jega is right to defend this initiative. Professors, with their years of academic discipline and administrative experience, bring a level of professionalism that is sorely needed in our elections.”

Others, however, argue that electoral roles should not be monopolized by academics and that broader participation from civil society and professional bodies could enhance inclusivity and accountability.

 Safeguarding Integrity Through Proven Mechanisms

As Nigeria continues to grapple with electoral credibility, Jega’s perspective offers a compelling argument for preserving mechanisms that have proven effective, even if imperfect. His appeal for a balanced approach—one that values proven integrity while remaining open to innovation—echoes a broader need for institutional trust in Nigeria’s democracy.

His message is clear: in a nation still striving to perfect its democratic processes, the focus should be on strengthening what works—not discarding it in pursuit of perfection.