DUTSE—Reacting to the Council of State’s ratification of Jega, National Chairman of the Peoples Salvation Party, PSP, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, asked those hoping to rig the 2011 elections to have a rethink because “Attahiru does not compromise his integrity.”

He said:  “I must be very frank here, if President Jonathan appointed him to help in rigging the elections in 2011, he should be prepared for a massive disappointment because he will not do it. Even those of us in the opposition should not even expect anything unusual from him.”

You can’t mess Jega up — NLC

General Secretary of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, John Odah, said: “Jega’s pedigree in public service is such that he will not allow anybody to mess up that record.”

A former ASUU treasurer, Prof. Idowu Awopetu, described Jega as an honest and patriotic Nigerian, who has the capacity to perform. He said:  “If the system allows him to work, he has the capacity, honesty and patriotism that is required  to run honest elections in this country, if the powers that be allow him.”

For Abiodun Aremu, Executive Secretary, Kolagbodi Foundation, “Jega is a straightforward person. One only hopes that he can keep that consistency of straight-forwardness and some level of principles that endeared him  as a frontline member of the left movement in Nigeria.

CLO, ICHR speak

The Bayelsa State Secretary of Civil Liberties Organisation, Alagoa Morris, said: “Looking at Attahiru Jega’s antecedent, a lot stand in his favour. It is interesting to recall his background as unionist, especially his stance against the military.

Though it is sad that Maurice Iwu was also part of the union government led by Jega, but for the fact that Jega was part of the Justice Uwais’ electoral reform committee, I think he will represent the report in person and not work against the recommendations in that report.”

Founding Director of Ijaw Council for Human Rights, ICHR, Patterson Ogon, described him as an astute administrator, stressing that Jega’s closeness to the civil society could be an added advantage.

He is a man of integrity

Factional chairman of PDP in Ebonyi State, Chief Adol Awam, described Jega was a man of integrity who carved a niche for himself as ASUU chairman. Believing that Jega would perform well as INEC chairman, Awam said:  “At least, let us try a man from the Northern part of this country for the first time. I am sure Jega will be a good referee.”
‘Jega has a pedigree of integrity’

A Warri-based constitutional lawyer, Dr. Akpo Mudiaga-Odje, said Jega has a pedigree of integrity, courage and rugged determination to serve as INEC chairman.

Odje hoped that Jega would bring the much-needed sanity to the electoral system of the country. He, however, noted that without the implementation of the Justice Uwais report, no credible election could take place in Nigeria, adding; “we need a total reformation of the electoral institutions and its laws.”

Mr. Sunny Onuesoke, a Special Project Director in Delta State in charge of the Ughelli/Asaba road dualization, section ‘A’, said until the electoral system was reformed, Jega might not be a to achieve much for Nigerians.

Jega is very suitable for INEC job – ESUT ASUU leader

Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT Chapter, Barrister Agu Gab Agu, said Jega’s nomination as INEC chairman was an indication that President Goodluck Jonathan was determined to put in place a credible electoral body.

Agu said that if Jega’s track record as ASUU leader was anything to go by, his appointment would be the best thing that had ever happened in Nigeria’s quest for a faultless electoral system. He said: “Jega is very suitable for the INEC job.

He is a man of principle, very straight forward and his moral rectitude is faultless. He stands up for the truth and he is not somebody that can be compromised.  He led ASUU very commendably and we still celebrate him.  He appears to me to be the best choice bearing in mind the people that are being mentioned.”

…All hail Jega on the Plateau

In Jos, the Plateau State capital, a cross-section of Nigerians also welcomed Jega’s nomination, saying that he would bring his background as a fighter for the people to bear on the job if he gets it.

Professor Olufemi Adelakun, a former Chairman of the University of Jos Chapter of ASUU who worked with Jega when he was president, said: “We trust that he will perform given his antecedents not only as a lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University, ABU but also his leadership qualities as displayed when he was President of ASUU.

The way he handled the struggle of that period and the various ways he avoided being soiled or discredited despite the forces mobilized by government attest to his integrity. He stood his ground and the union was able to prosecute the struggle successfully.”

Similarly, Zonal Coordinator of the Civil Liberties Organization, CLO for North Central, Mr. Steve Aluko-Daniel was optimistic that Jega would do well as INEC Chairman. He said: “Jega led ASUU in the historic struggle for better education and the fight against military dictatorship. He is honest, accountable and transparent in all his conduct as a comrade in ABU and Bayero University, Kano. He should use the Uwais Report as his minimum agenda.”

Another university lecturer, Dr. Tor Iorapuu, hailed Jega as an incorruptible Nigerian who could help reverse the country’s negative electoral history.  He said:“Jega raised the standard and status of ASUU. He did it for Nigerians and he can do it again at the larger political realm.”

However, Chairman of the Civil Societies Coalition in Plateau State, Mr. Joseph Sangosanya said the controversy over Jega’s alleged consultancy services with INEC under the former chairman throws up credibility questions. He said:

“Jega could have been a better replacement for Iwu considering his antecedent as former ASUU President but the consultancy allegation against him with Iwu’s INEC is a serious concern. He is now a full-time businessman and the post is not for sale. A more credible and unbiased person should be named”, he stated.

For Mannir Kamba, a lecturer, Jega deserved the post because he is a man of principle and honesty above all, has respect for the rule of law. He noted: “But the problem he will face may be if the Federal Government wants use him as a stooge. I believe Jega will not do anything contrary to what is right. If the FG force him to do anything contrary I am sure he will either resign or be sacked, but free and fair elections will for guarantee be conducted.”

Honourable Farouk Adamu Birnin-Kudu, former Member House of Reps, Jigawa welcomed development especially to the opposition, because “Jega is man of principle. He will conduct free and fair election. we are happy this is what the PDP-led Federal government administration of Goodluck Jonathan has done. We equally have confidence on Attahiru Jega that he will maintain his status quo of being a transparent and man of principle.”

He’s a good choice —Senator

Senators yesterday reacted excitedly to the nomination of Prof Attahiru Jega as the chairman designate of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC but cautioned that unless there was an attitudinal change among politicians, the dream of a free and fair election may remain a mirage.

Senator Nimi B. Amange said looking at his antecedents as the former president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU as well as a University Vice Chancellor, ‘he is a good choice,” adding: “I do not think any right thinking man will question his choice and his ability to perform. He is not affiliated to any political party so he will not have the encumbrance of a politician. With his knowledge as the leader of the ASUU and later as the vice chancellor he should be trusted to do the job.”

Reps react

The appointment of Prof. Attahiru Jega by the President and subsequent approval by the National Council of State is a vindication of the President’s commitment to a credible and enduring electoral process and has also brought to fore the collective determination of all arms of government to create the desired leverage for the attainment of our national goals. The challenge of national integration becomes more compelling on every Nigerian citizen says Reps spokesman, Eseme Eyiboh.

Oshiomhole hails Jega’s choice

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, expressed delight over the appointment of Prof Attahiru Jega, Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano as Chairman of the INEC. He said President Goodluck Jonathan “exercised very sound judgment, which needs to be commended”.

Oshiomhole said that a major problem with the electoral body had been the absence of leadership with strong moral credentials and courage, adding: “With Jega as chairman, I believe that INEC would be in safe hands and we can expect fundamental improvements in the conduct of elections.”

I do not have confidence in Jega, says Ume-Ezeoke

National Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke expressed reservations on the ability of the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, to conduct a free and fair election in 2011.

He said: “Anybody who loves this country, must not make the mistake of the past, that merely because somebody belongs to the university world that he can handle the complex Nigerian situation. I felt that we would have looked for somebody completely neutral, particularly, people from the judiciary.

Retired high court judges or retired Supreme Court judges should have been a better option. We are going to face the same problem we faced with Iwu, because he has not got any political experience. He has not mixed with anybody in politics.”

In his reaction, the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Senator Adego Eferakaya, said that he had no comment on the new INEC boss because he had not met him before. His words: “I cannot comment on him because I do not know him in person. Being a unionist does not tell the true character of a person. You will only know whether he can deliver if he has held such positions before.”