Atahiru Jega has handed over the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to his successor, Ahmed Wali, The Nation reports.
Wali who took over from Jega on Tuesday, June 30, is a Muslim from Sokoto state, in the North-West Nigeria.
He was a lecturer at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, before his appointment.
Wali would be faced with matching the achievements recorded by Jega who did incredibly well while in charge of the electoral body.
Jega, who oversaw the helms of the commission for four years (2011, 2015 ) has been praised by the international community after the conduct of the 2015 general elections which was described as the best ever held in Nigeria.
The former INEC boss was also commended for introducing the card reader which reduced the irregularities in the 2015 general elections to the barest minimum.
Jega however, came under intense criticisms from some political parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who constantly accused him of bias.
He was also accused of holding of holding secret meetings with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE) in the weeks leading up to the polls.
During the announcement of the elections result in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe accused Jega of being tribalistic, selective and partial in dealing with issues of irregularities raised during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
In all this, Jega maintained his cool which earned him the respect of many Nigerians home and abroad.
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