MakeYourVotesCount. org welcomes the appointment and confirmation of Prof. Attahiru Jega, former ASUU president and current Vice Chancellor, Bayero University, Kano, as the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

To say Nigeria is on the precipice, largely because of the malfeasance in our electoral process, is a gross understatement. The immediate agenda, therefore, before the new INEC chairman is to ensure free and fair elections in 2011. Professor Jega’s reputation certainly precedes him; therefore, his appointment couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.

Of course, we are not unmindful of the many landmines that dot the path to free and fair elections in Nigeria. But we also believe that conducting credible elections is not rocket science. Once there is the will to follow the law, many things will fall in place.

It is, therefore, imperative that we remind Prof. Jega of the onerous task before him. The last electoral dispensation under Prof. Maurice Iwu failed woefully largely because of his sheer lack of integrity. We all remember the atrocious verdict after the 2007 presidential election. We can point to other examples of Prof. Iwu’s absolute contempt for the votes of Nigerians, but one particularly bizarre experience was the 2007 election in Imo State.

Gubernatorial and state house of assembly election in Imo State took place at the same time on the same day. As results were being collated and it became obvious that his candidate of choice was not likely to emerge at the end of the process, Prof Iwu, without any justifiable reason, annulled one half (the gubernatorial) of the election.   That case is still in court less than a year to the end of the tenure of the governor that Prof. Iwu foisted on the people of Imo State.

We have brought this up just to show the amount of power the INEC chair wields and how that power can be used for good or for evil. It also reinforces our position that the solution to electoral fraud in Nigeria lies to a great extent with the leadership of the agency that manages the process, in this case INEC.

We are tired of the buck passing and the blame game that goes on as far as elections in Nigeria are concerned. As the chief electoral umpire, if the chairman of INEC is willing to bend the rules of the game, nobody – not the voters, not the law enforcement agencies, certainly not the politicians – will be willing to play by the rules.

Prof. Jega should not forget the controversy that trailed the last chairman of INEC. He has a duty and responsibility not to toe the same path. As an organisation committed to credible election and one that was in the forefront of the anti-Iwu campaign, we can’t but apply the same standards in our assessment of Prof. Jega.

We are willing to support Prof. Jega and rally Nigerians to ensure that he succeeds, provided he can prove to Nigerians that his appointment is not one more cynical attempt by the political class to undermine democracy by subverting the popular will of Nigerians.

Prof Jega must:

a.    First, state his commitment, on resumption of office, to credible elections.

b.    Effect immediate re-organisation of INEC to meet the challenges facing it.

c.    Begin the process of putting in place an authentic voter register that must be ready before the 2011 elections.

d.    Put in place a national voter education program that will enlighten Nigerians (politicians, voters, INEC staff, security agencies, election observers, etc) on their duties and responsibilities towards ensuring credible elections.

e.    Reach out to civil society organisations and other groups involved in the electoral process to maximize their role and support towards free and fair elections in 2011 and beyond.

f. Ensure that the votes of Nigerians count in the 2011 elections.

Chido Onumah

Coordinator, MakeYourVotesCount