TheCable

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) have described Abubakar Momoh as an advocate for free and fair elections in the country.

In a joint statement issued on Monday, Auwal Musa and Idayat Hassan, executive directors of CISLAC and CDD, the groups expressed sadness at the demise of the professor.

While citing some of his achievements in the various positions he had served, they commended his contributions towards the growth of the country.

“While we condole with the family, friends, academic world and the entire country on the loss, we do not only recall and commend the memorable and outstanding technical supports we enjoyed from the deceased, but also recount his laudable contributions to humanity, academic world and nation’s democracy through persistent advocacy and public outcry for social justice and good governance,” the statement read.

“As a founding member of CISLAC, CDD and other civil society organisations, Momoh had excelled by voluntarily offering holistic and tremendous supports for the establishment and sustenance of the Centres.

“He largely contributed to their present tracked records in advocacy for transparency, accountability and good governance within and outside Nigeria.

“Serving as director-general of the electoral institute of INEC, he was at the forefront advocating for free, fair, credible and participatory electoral system through research, capacity building for the staff of the commission, and engagement of vigorous voter education activities.

“Also, as the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Lagos State University, LASU and member of executive of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Momoh was prominent for his doggedness in maintaining high level integrity and professionalism, and selfless defence of staff and students’ welfares, as well as strictly adherence to ethical standard on addressing issues that affected staff and students.”

Until his death, Momoh served as a member of several technical teams of the African Union Commission (AUC) and election observer to several African countries on behalf of ECOWAS and African Union.

He also served on several government technical committees including member and coordinator of Foreign Policy subcommittee of Federal Republic of Nigeria “Vision 20:20” Technical Committee and policy on “Peace Support Operations (PSOS) for the federal government.

CISLAC and CDD said they are presently consulting the immediate family of the deceased and will announce a public event in his honour.