New Telegraph

Jega: APC, PDP misleading Nigerians since 1999

A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, yesterday blamed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for misleading and leading Nigerians astray since 1999.

 

Jega, who made this call during a lecture organised by Kwara Visioners Network for Rural Development in Kwara State, said it was unfortunate that the two parties had subjected Nigerians to unimaginable hardship and lack of focus in the past 21 years.

 

He noted that the two dominant parties were becoming incapable of directing the country in the right way ahead of the 2023 general elections.

 

Jega said: “The current two dominant parties – APC and the PDP – with their quality recruitment and leadership selection processes; who have shared power and have tended to lead Nigeria astray in the past 21 years; are becoming incapable of directing Nigerian political and governance processes in the right direction.

 

“The dominant elites in these parties are self-centered, preventing the few good ones among them to be impactful. They are also fractious and quarrelsome and lacking even enlightened self-interest.

 

“There is a need to create a special vehicle that can go into alliance; and work together to free the country from the stranglehold of parochial and reckless politicians, he noted.

 

He also dismissed speculations in some quarters that he was joining the 2023 presidential race, noting that his mission was to contribute to positive change in politics.

 

While stating that he is a registered member of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Jega noted that he hasn’t told anyone he is interested in running for the position.

 

The ex-INEC Chairman  also reacted to moves for the electronic transmission of results in general elections; criticising the National Assembly for downplaying its importance.

 

He said: “In fact, INEC has used it in some elections in parts of the country. It is a pilot scheme which all the stakeholders have been observing and said is good.

 

“The next thing is to remove the major hindrance in the use of technology; because there is a constitutional provision which says that electronic voting is prohibited,” the former INEC boss explained.

 

“Many Nigerians who are in support of electronic voting are blaming INEC; for saying it cannot use electronic voting. They have forgotten that there is a legal provision that says electronic voting is prohibited.”

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