Prof Jega’s return to classroom

The immediate past Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, returned to Bayero University, Kano BUK after spending five years as Nigeria’s electoral umpire. Jega’s return was greeted with a rousing reception by members of staff and students, who welcomed him as a hero and champion of Nigeria’s march towards democratic consolidation. […]

The immediate past Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, returned to Bayero University, Kano BUK after spending five years as Nigeria’s electoral umpire. Jega’s return was greeted with a rousing reception by members of staff and students, who welcomed him as a hero and champion of Nigeria’s march towards democratic consolidation. In a clime where professionals hardly go back to their professions after holding public office, Professor Jega, resumed his teaching profession at his Department of Political Science.
Professor Jega had on several occasions reiterated his willingness and determination to return to classroom after the expiration of his tenure. This feat was seen by many Nigerians and commentators of national issues as rare for prominent people to return to their normal professions after completing their national assignments. But Jega, against all odds returned to classroom. He even said that he was absolutely obsessed with the pleasure of teaching, research and community services.
When Professor Jega returned precisely on 6th July, 2015 and was accompanied to his Department of Political Science by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abubakar Rasheed, the former INEC boss told a congregation of staff members that he was itching to return to classroom. He said “I love teaching and teaching is my passion, I like intellectual life to interact with students and to further develop my academic career.
“At INEC I reflected all these five years as an ambassador of Bayero University. I am happy that we have not done anything to disappoint you and Nigerians. It wasn’t easy but we made it categorically to Nigerians from day one that it was not impossible to do the right thing for the best of our country,” Jega said. He challenged the political scientists to rise up to the challenges of contemporary political dimension, thereby contributing positively to the country’s political dynamism.
“As political scientists, we have a lot to do not just to study and understand political dynamism of Nigeria but also to contribute to what we can to critique, strengthen or conceptualize policy that could benefit the country. I am happy now to come back to critique and make analysis rather than be a bashing boy of Nigeria’s politicians,” he remarked.
To many greedy Nigerians, Prof. Jega should not have come back to his old profession, because being a prominent figure in Nigeria, he should rather renew his appointment or lobby for political appointment. But Jega had made it categorically clear that Bayero University would be his destination after the expiration of his tenure, a development that was seen by some people as commendable.
During the 2015 Presidential Elections, Nigerians had really put eyes on him to see whether he would compromise his integrity. But reactions from a broad spectrum of political leaders and organizations were positive. He faced criticism during the campaigning for the elections both from the oppositions and the ruling party. Nonetheless, a 23rd March 2015 article in Vanguard Newspaper said” most experts believe Jega will seek to declare an accurate result as quietly as possible, regardless of any interference he may face.”
Prof. Jega did not only prove the book makers wrong but went further to conduct what pundits believe is one of the most freest and fairest elections ever conducted in the history of Nigeria.
The Vice Chancellor of BUK, Professor Rasheed told the former INEC umpire during his official return to the university that as a result of the credible conduct of the 2015 general elections, Nigerians in the Diaspora are receiving special attention and recognition. He said the entire university community and Nigerians were proud of what Jega did for reforming the electoral institution and changing the concept of elections in the minds of average Nigerians.
Prof. Jega was chosen for leading INEC to conduct one of the most credible elections in Nigeria’s history, even in the face of intimidation and sabotage by some of his own staff and officials of the past administration.
The former INEC boss is now back in Bayero University and is ready to offer more teaching, research and community services, having spent five years as the country’s electoral umpire. His practical experiences of Nigeria’s political dynamism will surely benefit the students, the university community and Nigerians at large.
Sabonsara is an Assistant Registrar, Information and Publications in the Directorate of Public Affairs, Bayero University, Kano