Jega: Politics not an end in itself

Politics should not be practised in Nigeria as if it is an end in itself and anyone who regards it as such is playing with the livelihoods of the people, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Attahiru Jega said in Abuja yesterday. Speaking at the 15th Daily Trust Dialogue he said, “If you see politics as a game, as an end in itself, then obviously you miss the point. You are playing with the lives and livelihoods of people. We need to elevate politics to the level it is required. It has to be an issue of honour, principles and integrity.  And everybody has a role to play. And we have to ensure that the conventional and traditional issues that affect politics in Nigeria have to be concretely addressed.”

Prof Jega said “It is no longer an issue of religion or ethnicity or communalism. It is fundamental that we identify our crisis as national and we look for national solutions for it. And it is also important that we stop behaving like ostriches by burying our heads in the sand and pretending that everything is fine.”  He called for the full participation of all Nigerians in resolving the issues confronting the country. 

The Professor of Political Science enjoined Nigerians to be focused and dispassionate in our assessment and search for solutions to the country’s myriads of problems.