Prof. Jega: There’s no way I can satisfy every Nigerian

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Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega has said that he was still the same as when he took up the electoral job in June last year. In an interview with the Daily Trust in London, Prof. Jega said going through Nigeria's electoral system as the chief electoral officer has not changed his principles and commitments on the job.

"I am the same Jega as when I took up the appointment. I came into the job with my eyes wide open, and my eyes are still very wide open," he stressed.

"It's been very challenging but I knew that it was not an impossible task. It is doable – and I said so – and now we have done our best under very difficult circumstances," he added.

The chairman also said he was not bothered by accusations or allegations "because I know I have not done anything to deserve unwarranted accusations".

"When I took up the job, I knew there was no way I could satisfy every Nigerian or everybody for that matter. If we satisfy majority of the people, we should be contented with that".

He said the just concluded general elections in the country were by no means perfect, but pointed out that "many domestic and international observers have acknowledged that we have had the best elections in Nigeria".

"I did my best, and INEC, as an institution did its best under difficult circumstances. We will learn from the mistakes of the past and present and keep on improving the future," he said.

Jega was treated to a reception by the Nigeria High Commission in London where he earlier briefed a cross-section of Nigerians in the UK on last month's general elections.

Via DailyTrust.