Former INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega, has defended professors involved in Nigeria’s election process, insisting they bring integrity to the system. Speaking at the June 12 edition of The Platform in Lagos, Jega said professors have consistently resisted political bribes and cannot be dismissed because of the mistakes of a few.
During his term as INEC Chairman from 2010 to 2015, Jega introduced the use of professors and vice-chancellors as returning officers and ad hoc officials. Now, he believes the continued participation of academics remains essential for credible elections.
Jega Defends Professors Against Generalisation
Jega stated that although a few professors have faced prosecution, this does not mean they are unfit to oversee elections. “Of course, politicians use all methods of inducement,” he said, but pointed out that only two professors have been convicted in over a decade.
He added, “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 the Nigerian Bar Association and the Nigerian Society of Engineers once offered to help with elections but were turned down because professors had already proven effective.
Jega Defends Professors Amid Recent Convictions
Jega acknowledged that while two professors were recently jailed for electoral misconduct, their cases should not overshadow the performance of many honest academics. He cited the example of Professor Peter Ogban, a soil scientist at the University of Calabar, who was jailed for manipulating results in the 2019 senatorial election in Akwa Ibom North-West.
Another professor, Ignatius Nduk of the University of Uyo, was sentenced in February 2025 for publishing false results in the 2019 Essien Udim State Constituency election.
Jega responded to these cases firmly: “It is terrible that it has happened, but I don’t think it is something we can use to say we shouldn’t use professors in the conduct of elections.”
Jega Defends Professors Despite Few Rotten Apples
Jega defends professors as key contributors to credible elections. He believes their experience and reputation outweigh the missteps of a few. According to him, Nigeria’s electoral progress relies on integrity, not generalisations. The former INEC boss remains confident that professors still offer the best chance for fairness in the ballot process.
