Professor Attahiru Jega, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has denied accusing the electoral body of compromising 2023 general elections.
Last weekend, Jega was quoted as making the accusation when he spoke as a guest lecturer at the two-day retreat organised for senators in Akwa Ibom.
Mr Jega spoke on the topic “Electoral Reform and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria: Review of 2022 Electoral Act (areas for further legislative actions)”.
He said, “We have seen, in 2023 elections, the damaging effect of how people in the corridors of power get their client/partisan nominees appointed, without being thoroughly screened, and then they are influenced to compromise the integrity of elections”.
But in a statement issued by his Senior Research Assistant, Princess Hamman-Obels, Mr Jega said the report is incorrect and not an accurate reflection of his position.
“The attention of Prof. Attahiru Jega has been drawn to a misleading report published in a number of online newspapers quoting him to have commented that the 2023 elections were compromised.
“The report making the rounds is incorrect and not an accurate reflection of the presenter’s position. Professor Jega categorically denies making this particular comment about the 2023 polls”.