Group Worries Over Alleged Sack Threat To Jega

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, Nigeria 2015 Election Thursday, March 19th, 2015

By Niyi Adeyi, Lagos – The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) says it is constrained to observe reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, is being threatened to drop idea of deploying card reader during the coming elections or resign have created a tension across the country.

In view of this, the Non-Governmental organization charged all stakeholders to soft-pedal at this crucial stage before Nigeria is plunged into chaos, reasoning that extreme position on the left or the right at this time is an ill wind that will blow no one any good.

MURIC in a statement issued Thursday in Lagos by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, noted that the unfolding signals were contrary to a conducive atmosphere for holding elections, as well as compelled it to envision the worst case scenario in which Professor Jega’s security details could be withdrawn.

The group anticipates: “He might be asked to resign or the youth corpers whom INEC intends to use for the elections might refuse to work for fear over their personal safety. INEC may also be sabotaged either from within or from outside the electoral institution.”

“Withdrawing Jega’s security details will imply open intimidation. It will also backfire because it is bound to incriminate FG. This must not happen” MURIC warned.

The association therefore advocated for caution in all these scenarios, adding the “international community is watching”.

It equally invited all stakeholders to recharge their patriotism, as it said elections come and go, hence, Nigeria must remain, urging all to drop thoughts of embarking on unconstitutional acts, sabotage, violence or secession.

The Nigerian leading opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as their supporters within and outside the country have differed on the use of PVCs and card reader in the March 28 and April 11, 2015 general elections.