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UDUAGHAN ENDORSES JEGA’S APPOINTMENT, SAYS 2011 ELECTIONS SUCCESS WILL NOT DEPEND ON INEC CHAIRMAN ALONE
He said previous appointments of credible Nigerians did not give us better elections, because the people did not play their own part adequately. He also lamented the delay in the enactment of the electoral law, which he said should have been done three years ago to give Nigerians opportunity to be better prepared. He tasked Nigerians to be prepared to monitor 2011 elections and ensure that their votes count. He also threw his weight behind accrediting foreign and local election monitors and observers insisting that they are critical to the success of the general election. Governor Uduaghan made these comments in his lecture at the 45th Lecture series of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Lagos, entitled: “The imperative of conducting credible elections in 2011.” Governor Uduaghan maintained that it is possible to conduct a credible election as other African countries have done provided we follow due process and comply with the rules of the game. According to Governor Uduaghan, on the appointment of INEC chairman: “For many people, once you appoint a credible national chairman for INEC, the problem is solved. I disagree. The ancient wisdom about a tree not making a forest is most appropriate here. There is much more to the making of the monster. Let’s take a look at the men who have graced the INEC chair. The first Nigerian chairman of the Electoral Commission, Mr. Eyo Eta was well respected at the time of appointment. He was a first class trade unionist; he was a man all the parties had confidence in. But, check the results and comments that followed the 1964 and 1965 elections. The first election his commission conducted was chaotic even within the commission forcing two members to resign.” Quoting the recommendation of Justice Justice Bola Babalakin panel, set up by the Ibrahim Babangida administration in 1985 on the 1983 general elections, which advised that appointment of the electoral commission three years before the general election and the enactment of the electoral act three years ahead, Governor Uduaghan wondered whether the country has done enough to ensure a free and fair election. He however urged all concerned to work together for a credible election to work in Nigeria, adding, “The battle for change has only just begun. To be on the right side of history, everyone must play his part. The civil society, academia, the new-look INEC, party leaders, politicians, the youths, and the elite who prefer to siddon look, the media and the general public must be mobilized to the civilian equivalent of war footing against forces that have kept us down over the years.”   
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