Politicians using criminals to disrupt 2023 elections — Jega

A former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has said desperate politicians are using criminal elements to disrupt preparations for the 2023 general elections.

Jega, a member of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), spoke at the weekend after the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting and presentation of its manifesto in Abuja.

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He said the burning of INEC offices in some parts of the country was “very unfortunate”, adding that it portrayed “the desperation of politicians to use criminal elements to disrupt the preparations for the elections.”

“This is something that all well-meaning Nigerians must oppose, must condemn. This is something that our security agencies must collaborate and work together, apprehend the culprits, and ensure that measures are put in place so that this does not happen again.

“The 2023 elections must hold, and they must hold in an atmosphere of peace without any apprehension by the voters so that we can have very good candidates elected,” Jega said.

He, however, commended the INEC leadership, saying it has done its best under difficult circumstances to ensure that the elections are conducted with integrity and credibility.

“But you know that our politicians are very desperate, so they try to do everything to throw spanners in the works. So our hope is that the INEC leadership will remain focused and resolute to ensure that elections are conducted with integrity in 2023,” he added.