Nigeria council approves former academic to head electoral board; Senate must still approve
By APTuesday, June 8, 2010
Nigeria approves academic to head electoral board
ABUJA, Nigeria — A Nigerian official says an academic has been approved to head the national electoral board.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole says top officials on Tuesday approved the nomination of Attahiru Jega to head the Independent National Electoral Commission. Oshiomhole says the decision was unanimous.
The nomination must still be approved by the Senate.
Jega, vice chancellor of Nigeria’s Bayero University, has consulted for the electoral body before.
Critics have demanded electoral reforms and changes at the board before the 2011 presidential election.
In 2007, Nigeria saw its first civilian-to-civilian transfer of power after a series of military dictatorships. However, the election was marred by fraud, intimidation and violence.
(This version CORRECTS to show that Jega is a current academic sted former academic.)
