Amina Bala Zakari: acting INEC chairman

A Nigerian university lecturer, Dr Dapo Odukoya, has urged the new Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) acting Chairperson, Mrs Amina Zakari, to emulate and sustain Prof. Attahiru Jega’s legacy.

Odukoya, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Political Science, Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijebu-Ode, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday.

He said Jega had not only raised the bar for INEC in the preparation and conduct of elections in the country, but also served with integrity and sincerity of purpose.

He added that “Jega’s INEC must be scored high for political neutrality and integrity.

“From the onset when he was appointed in 2010, he was ready to work to ensure that he gave the country credible elections.

“The outcome is what we all witnessed at the last elections, adjudged by most, including the international community, to be one of the best elections conducted in Nigeria.

“The elections were credible that even the number of post-election litigations at the tribunals reduced considerably.

“This is what subsequent INEC appointees must strive to sustain so that our democracy will be strengthened.’’

Odukoya then lauded the new acting chairperson for promising to consolidate on the successes achieved by Jega during her tenure.

The don appealed to Nigerians to support the new leadership of INEC in promoting the interests of democracy and improving the electoral process.

Odukoya, however, urged INEC to improve the voters’ register data bank by ensuring that it was updated periodically before elections.

Jega, the immediate past chairman of INEC left office on June 30 when his five-year tenure lapsed.

He was replaced by Hajiya Amina Zakari on acting capacity by President Muhammadu Buhari.