Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, said at the weekend that he was satisfied with the apology offered by former Niger Delta Minister Elder Godsday Orubebe over his behaviour during collation of last presidential election result.

Speaking with our correspondent in Ilorin, Kwara State, where he attended the 80th birthday ceremony of a former National Commissioner of INEC, Dr. Abdulkadir Oniyangi, Jega said he had since forgotten about the matter. It would be recalled that Orubebe who was the PDP agent during the last election accused Jega of bias.

Jega advised Nigerians to put Orubebe’s performance behind and move on in building on the gains of the last election which he said met the requirements of international best practices.

He said: “I think the Orubebe’s incident is behind us, and we should just move on and not be held back by it. I was made to understand that a day or two after the incident, Mr. Orubebe made a public apology through the news media and I think that is sufficient enough.

“I think the challenges for us include ensuring that statesmen act as they should. And under all circumstances, we must control our emotions and resist the temptation of making wild allegations which can disrupt a process as important as the election. But I think we all learnt something from the elections,” he added.

The former INEC boss who has now returned to the classroom said he was delighted to be back. He stressed that the commission should continue to work on the voters’ register.

justirich:
my man of the year

dunkem21:
JEGA was biassed ..Orubebe didn't package his criticism well.

DONSMITH123:

my brother forget either package or not, what will be must surely be...
are u in support of the drama put up by Elder Orubebe?

dunkem21:



Nope. ..

..but JEGA was biassed. That's my point.

dunkem21:

? Nope. ..
..but JEGA was biassed. That's my point.

ddippset:
was he also biased in 2011?

DONSMITH123:



nay!!! I don't fink so. I was in INEC HQTR that very day and i listened carefully to Jega's explanations to what tranpaired and i think Orubebe should have done the right thing.

His outburst gave APC Upper hand and Nigerians were really angry.

Jega really used his wisdom if not, believed you me, another war would have set if any of the political party should touch Orubebe.

{{{{Quote me wrong!!!}}}}

dunkem21:



Wrong. Orubebe's outburst never gave APC upper hand because JEGA's hand and U.S hands were already with APC.

Do you know that Obama actually gave JEGA a certificate while the election is still in progress

My point remains ..Orubebe goofed big time but JEGA was biassed ..I wish the DSS will invite me for clarification.

eliment:
Jega man of the year, it was your wisdom in handling the situation that kept Nigeria safe today

DONSMITH123:


lol!!! You see my point here? When i said you guys will never accept truth, i mean it!!! Were you there when Obama gave Jega the certificate?

Can you prove it?

DONSMITH123:


Nice shot and nice point...But the likes of my friend counter attacking Jega/PDP will never agree to that facts.

Jega remained my best INEC Boss so far..

dunkem21:
JEGA was biassed ..Orubebe didn't package his criticism well.

ddippset:
I like Jega. He strikes me like a honest man with integrity. But I don't know why he keeps praising the last elections. They were a sham. Faulty card readers nationwide. From underaged voting in the north, to voter intimidations in the south. From abundance of fake result sheets to foul play and compromise by so many electoral commissioners. Jega should stop fooling himself. He's a good man but his elections were a sham.

Segadem:
Bias? over what?

dunkem21:



Soon, you will ask me whether I was there when the card readers failed and the president was not accredited.

JEGA stole my "mock election" idea on NL ..Again, the DSS should invite me for proofs.

abitex577:
Whatever was the grouse of Orubebe, he never acted like a federal minister and above all an elder he was. It goes to show he was never honourable. It is obvious he no better than an ordinary tout on the streets of Lagos!!!

dunkem21:
JEGA was biassed ..Orubebe didn't package his criticism well.