Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has expressed deep concern over the entrenched desperation of Nigerian politicians, warning that their “do-or-die” attitude continues to undermine the credibility of elections and slow down the country’s democratic development.
Jega, who currently serves as Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Livestock Reforms, spoke on Monday while delivering a keynote address at the joint graduation ceremony of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and the University of Benin (UNIBEN) in Abuja.
The former INEC boss lamented that despite over two decades of uninterrupted democracy, Nigeria has failed to rid its elections of irregularities, violence, and public mistrust.
“When we see the desperation of politicians, it becomes very clear—as former President Olusegun Obasanjo once said—that they approach elections with a ‘do-or-die’ mentality. The attitude is, ‘we must win by whatever means necessary,’” Jega stated.
According to him, the obsession with power at all costs has eroded public confidence in democratic institutions, leaving the country “literally muddling through democratic development” since 1999.
Jega, a professor of Political Science at Bayero University, Kano, admitted that while no election anywhere in the world is perfect, Nigeria’s experience reflects a disturbing trend that threatens democratic consolidation.
“No election is perfect and none is likely to ever be,” he said. “Electoral integrity is relative and must be seen as a continuum between the worst-case and the ideal best-case scenarios. But we cannot continue normalising mediocrity and violence in our elections.”
He noted that the desperation that has characterised Nigeria’s political culture was most famously echoed during the 2007 general elections when former President Obasanjo described the process as a “do-or-die affair.”
That statement, Jega said, mirrored a system where political contests are often reduced to survival battles marred by vote buying, ballot snatching, intimidation, and judicial manipulation.
The former INEC chairman emphasised that reversing the damage would require sustained institutional reforms, stronger enforcement of electoral laws, and a commitment to ethical political conduct by both leaders and followers.
“The credibility of elections has a direct correlation with the quality of representation and governance,” Jega warned. “Without integrity in our electoral process, the legitimacy of those who emerge as leaders will always be questioned.”
Also speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Edoba Omoregie, commended President Bola Tinubu for initiating the national student loan scheme, describing it as a timely intervention that has reduced financial barriers in tertiary education.
“The student loan scheme has given hope to many students who, regardless of their parents’ financial status, can now pursue higher education with ease,” Omoregie said.
He congratulated the graduating class, which included 46 Master’s degree holders, 19 Higher National Diploma recipients, and nine Postgraduate Diploma graduates, applauding their resilience and commitment to academic excellence.
“This event is historic,” the vice chancellor added. “It celebrates not only your achievement but also the growing partnership between NILDS and UNIBEN in producing leaders equipped for legislative and democratic service.”
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
