Electoral integrity is the key to democratization. No matter how
elections are regularly held, if they do not represent the true
voters, in which vote does not actually and truly count, vitiate
the substance attributes of democracy and undermine democracy, then
such election lacks integrity says the immediate past INEC
Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega.
Prof. Jega made this statement at the 2018 Founder’s Day Lecture
of National Institute of Advanced Legal Studies held in Abuja.
Prof. Jega who was the guest lecturer said the extent and
magnitude of electoral fraud is what undermines electoral integrity
and that electoral integrity is now considered globally as a
serious business deserving serious attention.
Speaking further, he lamented as to the way in which political
actors are striving so hard to win elections as if it is a do or
die affair and that for the integrity of electoral process to
prevail, money in politics, attitude and disposition of politician,
god- father syndrome, etc, must be discarded.
“The phenomenon of use of money and the influence of godfathers,
remain unchecked and need to be addressed effectively. We need to
constantly reform our electoral process in order to checkmate the
rise of electoral authoritarianism,” the erudite Professor
said.
“The media and civil society organizations do not help matter as
more often than not they are aligned to vested political interests
and throw spanner in the works, making the job of Election
Management Bodies very difficult.
Prof. Jega and DG NIALS Prof.
Adedeji Adekunle, SAN
“EMB has to do its best to nurture and sustain electoral
integrity under any and all circumstances. It is the first crucial
step to sanitizing the tumultuous nature of our political and
deepening democracy.
“There would be no good democratic governance unless the
leadership selection and election processes are imbued with
requisite integrity,” the erudite Professor said.
He commended INEC and said that since the new chairman came in,
significant and commendable progress has been made to sustain,
deepen and defend the integrity of Nigerian electoral process in
the country and they are better and prepared to carry out credible
elections.
Opening remark was done by the chairman, the Chief Justice of
Nigeria, Hon. Justice, Walter Onnoghen, who thanked the Institute
for honouring him as the chairman.
participant at the event
Prof. Adedeji Adekunle, the Director General of NIALS during his
welcome address said the Institution has introduced an online
learning to enable students learn in the comfort of their homes as
well as making research. He also said that the founding fathers
designed the institute as such that it will not only advance in
research and learning but in law and that the Institute has not
only discharged its duty in terms of research but in terms of how
legal, social disputes are resolved.
Amongst the eminent personalities present in the event
are Chief Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo (SAN) and
his wife Chief (Mrs). Victoria Olufunmilayo Awomolo SAN,
Senator Shehu Sani, Kwara State Speaker, Rt. Hon. Razak
Atunwa , DG. Nigerian Copyright Commission, Mr. Afam
Ezekude, John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, 1stVice President of
NBA, Mr. DAJAN CALEB GAL and a host of others.
Electoral integrity is the key to democratization. No matter how
elections are regularly held, if they do not represent the true
voters, in which vote does not actually and truly count, vitiate
the substance attributes of democracy and undermine democracy, then
such election lacks integrity says the immediate past INEC
Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega.
Prof. Jega made this statement at the 2018 Founder’s Day Lecture
of National Institute of Advanced Legal Studies held in Abuja.
Prof. Jega who was the guest lecturer said the extent and
magnitude of electoral fraud is what undermines electoral integrity
and that electoral integrity is now considered globally as a
serious business deserving serious attention.
Speaking further, he lamented as to the way in which political
actors are striving so hard to win elections as if it is a do or
die affair and that for the integrity of electoral process to
prevail, money in politics, attitude and disposition of politician,
god- father syndrome, etc, must be discarded.
“The phenomenon of use of money and the influence of godfathers,
remain unchecked and need to be addressed effectively. We need to
constantly reform our electoral process in order to checkmate the
rise of electoral authoritarianism,” the erudite Professor
said.
“The media and civil society organizations do not help matter as
more often than not they are aligned to vested political interests
and throw spanner in the works, making the job of Election
Management Bodies very difficult.
Prof. Jega and DG NIALS Prof.
Adedeji Adekunle, SAN
“EMB has to do its best to nurture and sustain electoral
integrity under any and all circumstances. It is the first crucial
step to sanitizing the tumultuous nature of our political and
deepening democracy.
“There would be no good democratic governance unless the
leadership selection and election processes are imbued with
requisite integrity,” the erudite Professor said.
He commended INEC and said that since the new chairman came in,
significant and commendable progress has been made to sustain,
deepen and defend the integrity of Nigerian electoral process in
the country and they are better and prepared to carry out credible
elections.
Opening remark was done by the chairman, the Chief Justice of
Nigeria, Hon. Justice, Walter Onnoghen, who thanked the Institute
for honouring him as the chairman.
participant at the event
Prof. Adedeji Adekunle, the Director General of NIALS during his
welcome address said the Institution has introduced an online
learning to enable students learn in the comfort of their homes as
well as making research. He also said that the founding fathers
designed the institute as such that it will not only advance in
research and learning but in law and that the Institute has not
only discharged its duty in terms of research but in terms of how
legal, social disputes are resolved.
Amongst the eminent personalities present in the event
are Chief Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo (SAN) and
his wife Chief (Mrs). Victoria Olufunmilayo Awomolo SAN,
Senator Shehu Sani, Kwara State Speaker, Rt. Hon. Razak
Atunwa , DG. Nigerian Copyright Commission, Mr. Afam
Ezekude, John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, 1stVice President of
NBA, Mr. DAJAN CALEB GAL and a host of others.