2019: I am determined to beat Jega’s records ― Yakubu, INEC chair

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) Professor Mahmood Yakubu has said the Commission under his leadership was determined to surpass the records of his predecessor in office, Professor Atahiru Jega.

The latter was the INEC chairman who managed the 2015 general elections.

Speaking while playing host to the German Ambassador in Nigeria, Bernhard Schlagheck and German Secretary of State, Walter Lindner at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, Professor Yakubu said INEC would improve on its feat which ensured that power was transferred from the ruling to an opposition party to inspire confidence of the international community in the electoral process in Nigeria.

He said: “We are aware that in 2015 Nigeria conducted election that is acknowledged and praised around the world.

We have been beneficiaries of that elections. Each time we travel on election observation around the world, people turn to us not only to praise the achievement of Nigeria in 2015 but to learn from the experience of Nigeria.

ALSO READ: Elections: INEC to recruit 24,000 ad hoc staff in Plateau

“It is exactly 36 days today from the 2019 elections. Already, the long term observation mission from the European Union is in Nigeria for the election which is the further affirmation of the interest of the international community in our elections but we are still willing to benefit in preparing for this election in our relationship with the international community.”

Earlier in his remarks, Germany Secretary of State, Lindner recalled that the Commission conducted an election which he noted has been an enviable reference point within the African Continent and the entire world.

He further noted that the feat achieved by the Commission under Professor Jega would be used to measure the Commission under its present leadership.

Lindner declared that Nigeria being the economic powerhouse of Africa with over 200 million people, Germany and the rest of the world were interested in the political stability of the country, submitting that whatever happens in Nigeria would have an effect not only on the continent but the entire world.