Jega Wins International Award In United States

The former chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Attahiru Jega has achieved yet another milestone as he has been nominated winner of this year’s edition of the Charles T. Mannat Democracy award.

Jega Wins International Award In United States

Prof. Attahiru Jega

Jega is expected to receive the award at an elaborate ceremony in Washington D.C. on September 29. The award would be presented to him by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems ( IFES) which is based in the United States.

The award which is the initiative of IFES is awarded yearly on individuals who have distinguished themselves in the advancement of freedom and democracy.

READ ALSO: 10 Memorable Quotes From Jega

Jega would be honoured under the Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award category.

Three individuals are honoured each year in these categories: one U.S. Democrat, one Republican and a member of the international community who demonstrate unwavering commitment to democracy and human rights.

Mr. Jega is the international figure chosen for the award this year, and he is being honoured for leading INEC to conduct one of the most credible elections in Nigeria’s history, even in the face of intimidation and sabotage by some of his own staff and officials of the past administration.

Democratic Leader, Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Congressman Ed Royce (R-Calif.) are to be honoured alongside Mr. Jega.

They will receive the awards at a special ceremony, co-chaired by IFES Board Director and Baker & Hostetler LLP Partner, Ambassador Tom McDonald and Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP Partner June L. DeHart on September 29, in Washington D.C.

“Chairman Jega’s leadership was instrumental to Nigeria’s successful general elections in 2015,” said IFES President and CEO, Bill Sweeney.

“He deserves full credit for his efforts to increase the credibility and transparency of the electoral process under extreme logistical challenges, such as terrorist threats from Boko Haram, where failure could prove the catalyst for predicted election violence,” IFES said in a statement.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Jega Hands Over To New INEC Chairman

The orgainser of the award said that Jega’s expertise in the management of the 2015 general elections positioned him as a credible election administrator.

IFES statement read in part: “The complex Nigerian electoral environment consisted of 69 million eligible voters, 155,000 polling booths and 700,000 temporary staff deployed across the country. These recent elections resulted in the country’s first democratic transfer of power.”

“I am deeply honoured to accept the 2015 Democracy Award from IFES,” Mr. Jega said in response to his nomination for the award.

“INEC’s long-standing partnership with IFES in preparation for the 2015 general elections resulted in a credible process accepted by Nigerian citizens and the international community. These elections have put Nigeria on the right path toward democratic stability.”



It will be recalled that Jega, who left office as INEC Chairman on June 30 after serving five years in office and he had refused to continued a second term in office even as he could if he choose to do.



He had since returned his lecturing job at the Bayero University Kano, where he was also a Vice Chancellor before he was appointed INEC boss in June 2010 by former President Goodluck Jonathan.