The Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Prof Kabiru Bala, recently voiced his dismay at the conduct of certain university lecturers who proudly admit to participating in election rigging.
Speaking at the third International Conference organized by the Department of Political Science and International Studies at ABU, Prof Bala expressed his concern over the actions of these individuals, stating that it sends a chilling message whenever he hears such confessions.
"It makes me shiver when I hear some of our colleagues say, 'We are the people who rig elections.' I participated in the process and I know what I did," said Prof Bala, clearly disturbed by the audacity with which some lecturers boast about their involvement in manipulating election outcomes.
Despite his concerns, Prof Bala emphasized that the actions of a few should not deter more lecturers from actively participating in the electoral process.
He argued that university lecturers, as a group, possess the credibility, knowledge, and integrity necessary to contribute to the development of sustainable elections in Nigeria.
"Academics are a set of people that you can have confidence and trust in. If we want good elections, we have to ensure that the process is well-sanitized.
Therefore, if we think that academics were one group of people that can sanitize the election processes, they should be given the chance to do so," Prof Bala stated.
He acknowledged that there are mixed reactions among academics regarding the involvement of university lecturers in general elections in Nigeria.
Nevertheless, he urged for a collective effort to engage more lecturers in electoral duties to strengthen the integrity of the electoral system.
The issue of election rigging has been a significant concern in Nigeria, undermining the credibility of democratic processes and eroding public trust.
Prof Bala's remarks shed light on the presence of lecturers involved in such activities, highlighting the urgent need for measures to ensure the transparency and fairness of elections across the country.
In a related development, the ongoing presidential election petition tribunal recently admitted the post-election report of the European Union Election Observer Mission, which faulted the election that led to the presidency of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This fresh twist further underscores the importance of addressing the issue of election integrity in Nigeria.
Furthermore, the embattled former vice chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Ibrahim Garba, and the former bursar of the institution, Mr. Ibrahim Shehu Usman, were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Kaduna Federal High Court on allegations of N1 billion fraud.
This development highlights the need for accountability and transparency in all spheres of society, including educational institutions.
As Nigeria strives to strengthen its democratic processes, it is crucial for academics and institutions to play a constructive role in upholding the principles of fair elections and ensuring that the voices of the people are genuinely represented. Share this report below!
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