A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has urged Nigerians to be vigilant ahead of the 2023 elections, warning that politicians are likely to deploy all means necessary to emerge victorious.
He said Nigerian politicians since 1999 see the electoral contest as a do-or-die affair, noting that the 2023 elections won’t be different.
Jega stated this on Tuesday, in Abuja, while delivering a keynote at the public sensitization on peaceful co-existence and the need to have hitch-free 2023 elections, organised by the Abuja National Mosque Da’awah and Welfare Foundation (ANMDWF), with the theme: ‘Towards a free, fair, and credible 2023 general elections’.
According to Jega, it is generally acknowledged both at home and abroad that this year’s general elections are the most consequential elections to be held globally.
He said the so-called political class, as active partisans and as candidates/contestants in elections, are the category of stakeholders with perhaps the least noticeable improvements in how they engage with the electoral process since 1999.
He stated that, “Their mindset is to achieve victory at all cost; to win elections deploying ‘all means necessary’; seeing electoral contests as a “do-or-die” affair. As they have done since 1999, they have continued to do, and are likely to do in 2023.
The Professor of political science added that the attitude and disposition of the electorate, including citizens who qualify to register and vote, is also a major concern.
He also listed various measures put in place by INEC to prevent rigging and ensure the success of the elections.
On his part, the ANMDWF Chairman, Dr. Muhammad Kabir Adam, said it is the responsibility of all Nigerians to ensure the coming general elections.
