Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has condemned what he described as the growing desperation of Nigerian politicians to win elections at all costs, saying such conduct continues to undermine the credibility of the nation’s democratic process.

Speaking in Abuja during the joint graduation ceremony of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and the University of Benin, the former INEC boss said the “do-or-die” attitude of many political actors poses a serious threat to democratic development and public confidence in governance.

Jega, who presided over the 2011 and 2015 general elections, lamented that despite 25 years of uninterrupted democracy, Nigeria still struggles with electoral malpractice, violence, and widespread distrust in the electoral system.

“When we see the desperation of these politicians, it is very clear, as former President Obasanjo said, that they engage in elections with a ‘do-or-die’ mentality — determined to win by whatever means are necessary,” he said.

He noted that no electoral system is perfect anywhere in the world but stressed that integrity in elections exists on a spectrum — from the worst-case scenarios to near-global best practices.

According to Jega, Nigeria’s political culture has for decades been tainted by the ruthless pursuit of power, warning that the country’s democracy would remain fragile unless urgent steps are taken to restore credibility to its electoral processes.

“The credibility of elections has a direct correlation with the quality of representation and governance,” he added, calling for sustained reforms, stronger institutions, and collective commitment to accountability.

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