Professor Attahiru Jega addressing newsmen shortly after his inaugural lecture at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi. PHOTO CREDIT: RICHARD ABU
BY RICHARD ABU, Nasarawa –
Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Athahiru Jega has blammed the federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari for lacking the political will to the various problems bedeviling Nigeria
Professor Jega stated this on Wednesday during his inaugural lecture at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi as part of the series of lectures organised by university.
Prof. Jega, who spoke on the theme “”Restructuring the Nigerian Federalism: Challenges and Prospects” blammed the Federal Government for failing to deliver on its mandate by not providing job opportunities to Nigerian youths, a situation that has brought about high level insecurity and banditry.
He also blammed the National Assembly for their inability to make quality laws that could have way for good governance but are rather playing games with the executive arm of the government.
According to him, restructuring the country does not mean breaking the country apart but redefining the country”s administrative landscape and expressed confidence solving the problems of the country which he said “are doable’ if some of them are given the opportunity to contribute ideas.
Prof. Jega who was kicked out of office for his non-comprmising posture on election matters condemned the two dominant political parties – The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), while calling on all Nigrians to shun them and look out for a better party that would unite the country together, have the political will to tackle insecurity headlong and provide jobs for the teeming youths of the country.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Professor Suleiman Bala Muhammed, said the inaugural lecture organised by the university’ is a usual academic exercise by the citadel of learning to expose intellectual capacity of the university don and also educate students and other members of the academic as well as profer solutions to the nations problems.
The Vice-Chancellor expressed confidence in the intellectual and administrative competence of Professor Athahiru Jega, whom he described as a euridite scholar and sound administrator capable of driving the nations leadership at any level if given the opportunity.