CHECKING IBB THROUGH JEGA'S APPOINTMENT

one of the problems Nigeria has been having over the years is its inability to conduct credible elections. The only one acclaimed to have the highest degree of credibilty by all was held on June 12, 1993 which unfortunalety was annulled by the same military regime that conducted it. Ever since, the country has not come near such a feat owing partly to the philosophy of do-or-die politics introduced by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the desperation of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to remain in power for as long as the world exists and the growing aparthy of the Nigeria voters towards anything election.

To many Nigeria Nigerians it is worthless anf time-wasting going out to vote when the vote will not count at the end of the day. This is because in most cases the electoral body, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, rather than remain independent and unbiase serves as willing tool to desperate politicians hell-bent on winning elections by all means. Little wonder that most electoral victories were upturned by the Judiciary.

Therefore when late President Yar'Adua came to power through what was generally agreed to be flawed election, which he himself admitted, he promised to undertake electoral reforms to right the wrongs of the past and make elections in the country credible and acceptable to all. His successor and former Vice, Goodluck Jonathan has keft no one in doubt as to his commitment to pursing the reforms to a logical conclusion. That is why his nomination and subsequent confirmation by the Senate of Professor attahiru Jega, former Vice Chancellor of Ado Bayero University, Kano and former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU as the new INEC chairman has recieved accolades even from the opposition.

The appointment of Jega is no doubt a morale booster for many who want to contest in the coming election as the man is seen as an upright, fortright and incorruptible individual. But on another front, it may be a smart move by President Jonathan to curtail the raging storm of General Ibrahim Babangida who is daring to return to the ASO Rock in 2011.

Jega was the leader of the leader of the ASUU in the early 90s at the peak of Babangida's dictatorship. That was the period of struggle for the emancipation of the University lecturers across the country. The condition and atmosphere of the university communities in Nigeria were terribly bad and awful. The dictatorial military regime of Babangida failed woefully to do anything about the decay in the University system in the country. Attahiru Jega gave radical leadership that fought Babangida tool and nail for the interest of the University system that was crumbling.

Even though the regime tried through many means such as proscription of ASUU, stoppage of salaries and other forms of harrassment, Attahiru Jega-led ASUU never gave up the struggle.

Going by the professor's radical background and his seeming moral credit worthiness many are of the opinion that his appointment by the president may be the right step in the direction towards ensuring a free and fair election come 2011.

But, being the first northerner to be given such sensitive appointment at this crucial time, some say, may be subtle way to curb the North from winning back power after the South had ruled for eight years. The move may be contrued to be an impetus to the much speculated agenda of President Jonathan to run as well.

Either Jonathan runs or not, the fact remains that the appointment of Attahiru Jega is a smart move to check people like IBB from coming back to power.

"I would like to be remembered as the person who led the INEC that conducted the freest, fairest and most credible election in the history of Nigeria." Attahiru Jega.