Prof. Attahiru Jega, former Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has declared that the prevailing security challenges in the country may affect the forthcoming general elections in 2023 negatively.
Jega, who served as INEC chairman during the 2011 and 2015 general elections, made this declaration in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Thursday while delivering lecture at the fourth Senator Abiola Ajimobi Round table organised by Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation and the Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan.
The event with the theme, ‘Election Security and Good Governance in Nigeria’, was organised as part of activities to mark the 72nd posthumous birthday of the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the immediate past governor of Oyo State, who died last year.
Speaking on the theme of the event, Jega insisted that there is increased apprehension as Nigerians approach 2023 general elections.
He, however, explained that this may pose a serious danger to the conduct of 2023 elections.
The professor of Political Science while speaking further noted that to avoid security breaches during the future elections, there must be an improvement in the security arrangements in the country.
Jega maintained that election security is important in order to have free and credible elections in the country.
He said, “We want delivery of goods and services by democratically elected people. As we look forward to 2023, there is an increased apprehension.
“Security challenges may pose a serious danger to the conduct of 2023 elections. Our good governance must have democratic content.
“For credible elections, Nigeria must constantly work to ensure that elections are credible.
“Voters must be free to elect their candidates, must be free to vote without fear or intimidation. Election security is important in order to ensure that materials are safe; to ensure that the officials are safe.
“Election security is important because it is critical mechanism for good governance.
“We need an improved presence of security. All security agencies should be involved. But, we must define roles of each security agencies.”
