Nigerian Politicians Are Like Kids Playing With Fire – Jega

Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, has chided the political class in Nigeria for allegedly putting their own “selfish interest” first before service to the nation.

Speaking on “democracy and the rule of law” at TELL Magazine’s 20 years of democracy conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Jega said the Nigerian political class are treating electoral process and democracy in the country with kid gloves.

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He said the elite, especially the “reckless section ” of the political élite, have failed to see the danger in an electoral process that lacks integrity because of of their selfish interests.

“I describe the attitude of the political elite as Kids playing with Fire. We have to stop the politicians from setting off a conflagration that can destroy democracy. The way to stop that is to restore integrity to the electoral process that can safeguard democracy. It is the panacea for safeguarding the Will of the people for democracy to thrive,” said the former INEC Chairman.

Jega however said Nigerians still have cause to celebrate 20 years of democracy because of “our ability to remain a nation and keep struggling to manage our problems,especially the challenges of diversity”

He said, “Nigerians may not be satisfied,and obviously there are so many things to be dissatisfied about,  but if could have been worse. Some organisations outside thé country had predicted that Nigeria would collapse by 2015.”

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According to Jega, 20 years of democracy was enough time for Nigeria to start interrogating “our challenges for our future progress.”

The former INEC Chairman warned against reversal in the democratic gains of the country and urged reforms in the electoral process.

He said the alleged involvement of security personnel in the last election was a reversal in the fortune of the country’s electoral process.

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