Shehu Sani Claims Jega Was Cursed in Mosques in the North After Declaring GEJ Winner of 2011 Election

In a post on his official Twitter account, former Senator Shehu Sani said that anybody who wants to become the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should have a strong heart. He said that the job is not an easy one, and that those who take it on will face many challenges.

Sani’s comments come as the Nigerian government is considering appointing a new INEC chairman. The current chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, is due to step down in June 2023.

In the aftermath of the 2011 Nigerian presidential election, which was won by Goodluck Jonathan, a Muslim from the Niger Delta, there was widespread anger and resentment in the Muslim-majority north of the country.

This anger was directed at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Attahiru Jega, who was accused of rigging the election in Jonathan’s favor. In mosques across the north, Jega was cursed and vilified.

However, when the same Attahiru Jega declared President Muhammadu Buhari as the winner of the 2015 presidential election, he was praised by the same Northerners. He added that for someone to be an INEC chairman, he has to be moulded with cement and steel to withstand criticism.

“When Jega declared GEJ the winner of the 2011 Presidential election, he and his family were cursed in almost every mosque in Northern Nigeria.

When Jega declared Buhari the winner of the 2015 Presidential Election, he became a hero to the same people. To be the chairman of INEC, you need a neck moulded with cement and steel.” The former senator wrote.