Jega’s Dart on National Assembly

A former National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, recently stirred the hornet’s nest when he said the National Assembly was notorious for bribe-taking. Coming at a time the National Assembly has not been very well received by a section of the public, could it be that Jega was playing a populist card or advancing a particular cause?

Although Senate President Bukola Saraki has asked Jega to name the people he alleged demanded bribes, the statement, as weighty as it is, might have been taken to be true by a majority of the people, coming from the former electoral body’s helmsman, one of the few individuals, who still wears the ‘face of integrity.’

But the points to note are: How true is this statement from Jega? Is he able to defend this in law, when challenged or is he playing some interest group’s card? Will the lawmakers just let this slide or take it up? Whatever it is the lawmakers choose to do about the allegation his statement remains a damaging dart on the image of the National Assembly until pushed back.

Related Articles