Attahiru Jega is allegedly scheming to remain as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, despite his claim of not wanting a second tenure of another five years, covering the next general election in 2019 and expiring in 2020.
The former Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano was appointed in June 2010, and completes his five-year tenure on June 30 this year. By law, the tenure is renewable for another five years.
Although he has at different fora, national and international, disclosed that he does not want to stay on, an impeccable source told TheNiche that “he desperately wants a re-appointment and the plot has been finalised.”
It was learnt that he has perfected plans to sponsor groups and individuals beginning from the coming week to drum support for his re-appointment.
The groups are expected to advocate for Jega’s retention, just as cronies and rented commentators are already drafted into the promotional exercise.
Part of the game plan is to bandy the example in Ghana, where the Electoral Commission Chairman, Kwadwo Djan, has been in the post since Ghana returned to multiparty democracy in 1996.
Djan has supervised five elections under the Fourth Republic Constitution.
Hidden agenda
“The plot for Jega to continue in office has been perfected. In the weeks ahead we will witness groups, cronies and rented commentators drumming support for him to stay on.
“Their argument will be that, as in Ghana, his continuity will help the nation’s democracy to stabilise,” said our source, who preferred anonymity.
The source disclosed that even though President Muhammadu Buhari may not know about the scripts he may not kick against it since Jega is in the good books of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as the sympathy of some Nigerians.
The suspicion behind Jega’s come back bid is his undisguised agenda to continue with the delineation exercise he started which received criticism from the public.
“Unknown to many, Jega wants to ensure the delineation exercise is carried out and part of the hidden agenda is to give the North a good edge politically, with power moving permanently out of the South.
“They will evoke emotion and many people will buy into the project, ignorant of the underlying secret,’’ the source disclosed.
Appointment, removal of INEC boss
Going by the Constitution, the president consults the Council of State in appointing an INEC chairman, but the appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate.
There was speculation that former President Goodluck Jonathan wanted to get rid of Jega before the presidential vote on March 28, but it would not have been an easy exercise except for political expediency.
In this instance, the president could move against an INEC chairman relying on Part D Section 171, under Public Service Rules of the Constitution of the Federation.
Section 171 (1) says, “…. Power to appoint persons to hold or act in the office to which this section applies and to remove persons so appointed from any such office shall vest in the president.”
Breaking a jinx
In Nigeria’s history, no indigenous electoral commission chairman has conducted two elections before the expiration of his term, except Jega, who did in 2011 and 2015.
He is 11th indigenous electoral body chairman and the first Northerner to occupy the position.
The first post-independence election was conducted in 1964 by Eyo Ita Esua (Cross River). Michael Ani (Cross River), headed the then Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) that conducted the 1979 election after which he stepped down.
Victor Ovie-Whiskey (Delta State) conducted the 1983 election. Humphrey Nwosu (Anambra) supervised the election in 1993. Ephraim Akpata (Edo) conducted the one of 1999 which ushered in Olusegun Obasanjo as President.
Akpata died in office in 2000 and was replaced by Abel Gobadia (Edo), who conducted the 2003 election.
When Gobadia’s tenure ended in 2005, Maurice Iwu (Imo) succeeded him and conducted the 2007 election which produced the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
When Iwu’s tenure expired in 2010, Jega was appointed by Jonathan to succeed him.
Jega conducted the 2011 election that brought in Jonathan. He also superintended the 2015 election that ushered in Buhari.
His appointment came with fanfare and little dissention, being hailed as the activist and unionist who would level the electoral playing field.
After the 2011 ballot, there was groundswell of approval for Jega, national and international, that the people’s votes counted. Some disagreed, though, arguing that the election was far from credible.
Buhari, who contested the result of the 2011 poll, insisted that the process was characterised by flaws.
Jega’s Chief Press Secretary, Kayode Idowu, could not be reached on the telephone at press time to comment on the alleged interest of his boss in tenure renewal.
His two lines were switched off.