Ex-ICPC boss, Akanbi, condemns calls for Jega to resign

THE former Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Mustapha Akanbi (rtd), has described any plan to remove the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, as a keg of gunpowder dangerously preparing for an explosion.

Akanbi, who said it would not be the most auspicious time for Jega to either resign his appointment or be forcefully removed from office, canvassed more encouragement for the INEC boss instead of discouragement, noting that the steps taken by the electoral body have given Nigeria and her people hope for a brighter tomorrow.

The former President of the Court of Appeal, who spoke yesterday in Ilorin during a special public lecture titled” Towards Peaceful Elections In 2015: The Roles Of Stakeholders In Nigeria” organised by the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin, said: “We must encourage Jega not to resign before the elections. If he resigns, that will be the beginning of violence. Jega that I know is a man of integrity; if you change him at this nick of time, that will draw us back.

“We should not do things that led to the cancellation of the 1993 presidential election won by the late MKO Abiola. We should know that Nigeria is greater than all of us, therefore, whatever we do concerning these elections must meet international standard. I’m happy that Jega has declared that he would not resign before the elections.

“Let’s hold the elections and show the world that we are decent people. We should not allow predictions about possible breakdown of Nigeria after the elections become a reality.”

Akanbi, who condemned the attack on the convoy of Mrs. Aishat Buhari in Ilorin, said that sad occurrence in a town reputed for peace and harmony” instilled fears in me that we may not have peaceful elections.”

The former anti-corruption boss praised the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, for declaring publicly that traditional rulers, as fathers of all, should not campaign for any politician. “Monarchs should be apolitical and stand for only what is good for the country”, he said.

In his presentation, the guest lecturer, Prof. Danny McCain, reminded the political gladiators in Nigeria that “just because one loses an election does not mean that life is over. Should Gen. Buhari lose the upcoming elections, he will have lost nothing. He will continue to be the respected national statesman he has been for many years but with an enhanced status due to representing the combined opposition party and a stronger run for the presidency.

“Should President Goodluck Jonathan lose the election, he will likely become a respected Africa-wide leader who will be called upon for the rest of his life to support significant projects, reduce tension and share wisdom from his vast experience in governing the largest country in Africa.”

McCain, who quoted Enenim Ubom, prayed that” May God give us defeated politicians who will use their vast experiences and resources to work for a better world”.

The Vice- Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali in his remarks, urged Nigerians to shun politics of ‘do-or-die’, saying that “this is not desirable and we should all join hands to save our democracy and people from the consequences of violence, an evil wind that blows no good to anyone.”