The senator representing Kaduna Central at the Senate, Shehu Sani, has warned that the outcomes of the 2019 general elections are enough reasons why University lecturers should no longer agree to be election umpires in the country.
Shehu Sani, via his verified Twitter handle today tweeted:
In the light of the new revelations,University lecturers should pull out from participating in the conduct of national elections to save the reputation & protect the moral sanctity of the academia.The Ivory tower shouldn’t be smeared with political feaces.
It may be recalled that Nigeria’s election umpires have mostly been drawn from the Ivory Tower, and because of the acrimony that often attends elections in the country, most critics have faulted the acceptance by university lecturers to superintend elections that may be deemed inconclusive or rigged.
So far between 1987 and 2019, no less than six university teachers in the professor cadre have served as chairmen of Nigeria’s electoral bodies. They include the following:
- Prof. Eme Awa (1987–1989)
- Prof. Humphrey Nwosu (1989–1993)
- Prof. Okon Uya (1993 – 19 November 1993)
- Prof. Maurice Iwu (2005–10)
- Prof. Attahiru Jega (2010–June 2015)
- Prof. Mahmood Yakubu (2015–)