The former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has denied describing the 2023 elections as compromised, saying he never said such in any forum.

The former INEC helmsman was reported to have allegedly said the 2023 elections were compromised at a two-day retreat organized by the Senate in Ikot Ipene, Akwa Ibom State.

Jega, a professor of political science at Bayero University, Kano, who presented a paper titled “Electoral Reform and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria: Review of 2022 Electoral Act (areas for further legislative actions) at a two-day retreat organized by the Senate in Ikot Ipene, Akwa Ibom State, was quoted to have said: “We have seen, in 2023 elections, the damaging effect of how people in the corridors of power get their client/partisan nominees appointed, without being thoroughly screened, and then they are influenced to compromise the integrity of elections”

But a short press statement signed by
Senior Research Assistant (SRA), Princess Hamman-Obels, on Monday described the report making the rounds as incorrect and not an accurate reflection of Jega’s position.

Hamman-Obels, who is also the Director of The Electoral Hub, an Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD), said: “The attention of Professor Attahiru Jega has been drawn to a misleading report published in a number of online newspapers quoting him to have commented that the 2023 elections were compromised.

“The report making the rounds is incorrect and not an accurate reflection of the presenter’s position. Professor Jega categorically denies making this particular comment about the 2023 polls.

“As would be seen in his presentation he made at the Senate Retreat held in Ikot Ipene, Akwa Ibom State, nowhere did he make such a statement that the 2023 elections were compromised. Professor Jega hopes this rebuttal will correct the incorrect and inaccurate reporting currently making the rounds.”