Professor Attahiru Jega, former National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has denied that he discredited the conduct of the 2023 general elections.
Jega was a resource person at a retreat organized by the leadership of the National Assembly for lawmakers last week at Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State where he was quoted to have said, “We have seen, in 2023 elections, the damaging effect of how people in the corridors of power get their client/partisan nominees appointed, without being thoroughly screened, and then they are influenced to compromise the integrity of elections.”
However, reacting through his Research Assistant, Princess Hamman-Obels, the former INEC boss said on Tuesday that he “categorically denies making this particular comment about the 2023 polls.”
In a 3paragraph statement, Jega stated as follows:
“The attention of Prof. Attahiru Jega has been drawn to a misleading report published in a number of online newspapers quoting him to have commented that the 2023 elections were compromised.
“The report making the rounds is incorrect and not an accurate reflection of the presenter’s position.
“Professor Jega categorically denies making this particular comment about the 2023 polls.”