By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
Former National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has called for an end to Immunity Clause for the presidency and the governors to end corruption and promote democracy.
He said those who were elected to protect Nigeria’s democracy have become its greatest threat.
Prof. Jega disclosed this while presenting a paper at the Platform Nigeria June 12, 2025 edition organized by The Covenant Nation Global in Lagos.
According to him “We have perfected the rituals of democracy- elections, party campaigns, political handovers – but have failed to build the substance: institutions that work, leaders who serve and a citizenry that trust”
“We are stuck in a vicious cycle where those elected to protect democracy have become its greatest threat” he added.
Presenting his paper entitled: “Required Reforms for Stronger Democratic Institutions in Nigeria ,Jega held that to salvage the present Republic, Nigeria must embrace an urgent, bold and far reaching democratic reforms that would ensure accountability, strengthen the rule of law and make governance truly serve the people.
“At the center of Nigeria’s crisis of governance is the Immunity clause in our constitution. It was meant to protect high office holders- presidents and governors- from frivolous litigation while in office. Instead, it has become a protective shield for corruption and abuse.
“Under the provision, the executive has looted public funds, manipulated institutions and trampled on rights without consequences.They know that for four or eight years, they are above the law. This is not democracy” he stated.
“Immunity must go. Real- time accountability should apply to all public officers regardless of the ranks” he added
In addition to this, Jega stressed that the system must also fix the broken Judiciary, adding that in recent years, the courts have become compromised by political interference, underfunding and opaque appointments.
“Judges are too often beholden to the executives who determine their career progression and salaries.The result is a judiciary that delays justice, tolerates impunity and sometimes becomes a willing accomplice in subverting the will of the people” said Jega.
“A democracy without an independent judiciary is like a car that is without brakes- it is only a matter of time before it crashes” he added
In order to strengthen the democratic tenets, he also suggested that all election petitions must be resolved before the winners are sworn into power while adding that the appointment process for judges should prioritize merit, experience and character and not political loyalty, even as he argued that contradictory court orders often issued on the same issue from different courts must end
“The court must once again become a temple of justice – where the poor and the powerful are treated equally” he declared.
Jega, a former Vice Chancellor of Bayero University equally harped on the need for a free and responsible press as a means to strong democracy while regretting that in Nigeria the media is under siege.
“Journalists are routinely harassed, denied access to public information or co-opted by political actors. Many operate in fear while others compromise the truth for patronage”.
“If the press cannot truly investigate, question and report without fear , then democratic oversight collapses” he declared.
In addition, Jega complained about the unchecked dominance of the executive arm of government at both the Federal and state levels and argued that over the years this arm of government has become bloated with power and surrounded by an ever – growing army of political appointees.
“Often, governors and the president operate as if they are above scrutiny- allocating security votes without transparency, ignoring legislative oversights and appointing cronies without merit. The result is government as a personal enterprise, not public service” he stated.
He made a case for technology, saying that technology, if used transparently remains a crucial factor for the attainment of electoral integrity
According to him, electronic transmission of results, biometric accreditation and digital tracking must be standardized and secured to eliminate the space for human manipulation and back end rigging. Citizens must be able to trust that their votes count and elections are won fairly.
Jega, Professor of Political Science also maintained that institutions alone are not enough to achieve the desired result adding that the long term solution to the survival of democracy must include the engagement and commitment of the citizens.
He lamented that too many Nigerians today have lost faith in the system, insisting that corruption, impunity and exclusion have driven apathy into the system.
“Citizens must demand accountability, participate actively and reject vote- buying, ethnic politics and the politics of handouts. Democracy belongs to the people – and only if the people claim it” Jega said.
