Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Livestock Reforms, Professor Attahiru Jega, has criticized Nigerian politicians for their excessive desperation to win elections at all costs, describing it as a major threat to the nation’s democratic growth. Speaking at the joint graduation ceremony of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and the University of Benin (UNIBEN) in Abuja, Jega expressed concern that despite 25 years of uninterrupted democracy since 1999, Nigeria continues to struggle with electoral malpractice, political violence, and public distrust in the electoral process.
Jega, a Professor of Political Science at Bayero University, Kano, lamented that the persistent “do-or-die” approach to elections has continued to undermine the credibility of the democratic process. According to him, many politicians still believe that elections must be won by any means necessary, echoing former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s remarks about the reckless pursuit of power in Nigerian politics. He warned that such desperation has eroded citizens’ confidence in democracy and left the country, in his words, “muddling through democratic development” since the return to civilian rule.
While admitting that no election anywhere in the world is perfect, Jega emphasized that electoral integrity should be seen as a continuous process of improvement. He explained that credible elections are essential to the quality of leadership and governance, stressing that Nigeria’s democracy can only be strengthened through sustained collaboration and commitment to fair electoral practices. “The credibility of elections directly determines the quality of representation and governance,” he noted, urging stakeholders to prioritize transparency and fairness over personal ambition.
Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Edoba Omoregie, commended President Bola Tinubu for introducing the student loan initiative, describing it as a transformative policy that has made higher education more accessible to financially disadvantaged students. He explained that the scheme has removed longstanding barriers to education, ensuring that Nigerian students, regardless of their family background, can pursue tertiary education in public institutions without financial hardship.
Omoregie also praised the resilience and dedication of the graduating NILDS/UNIBEN students, describing the event as historic and a testament to academic excellence. The graduating class comprises 46 Master’s degree recipients, 19 Higher National Diploma graduates, and nine Postgraduate Diploma awardees. He congratulated them for their hard work and determination, noting that their achievement reflects the growing importance of academic and legislative development in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.