Former President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the growing practice of governors, senior political office holders and party leaders converging on states during off-cycle elections, saying the trend could threaten Nigeria’s democratic stability.
Key Highlights
- Jonathan warns against election interference
- Governors converge on states
- Off-cycle elections face pressure
- Political mobilisation raises concerns
- Democratic stability at risk
Jonathan raised the concern on Tuesday in a statement posted on his X handle while reflecting on the recently concluded Osun State governorship election.
The former president commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties and the people of Osun State for conducting the election peacefully but expressed concern over what he described as an emerging pattern in Nigeria’s off-cycle elections.
Jonathan said the conduct witnessed during recent elections in Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States was unusual and should not become normal in a democratic society.
He recalled that similar situations occurred during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti States governorship elections when he was president, noting that he had ordered senior political leaders and government officials to leave the affected states.
According to him, the growing presence of serving governors, senior public officials, party leaders and large numbers of aides and security personnel from outside a state during elections could create an atmosphere of apprehension, intimidation and undue pressure.
Jonathan said political parties has the right to campaign, mobilise supporters and deploy legitimate party structures, but warned that excessive political mobilisation could undermine peaceful electoral competition.
Read also:
- Goodluck Jonathan Crowned ‘Jigon Bauchi’ Traditional Title by Emir
- Former Aso Villa Chaplain William Okoye’s Burial Scheduled For October 9
He questioned whether the increasing deployment of political power and governmental influence during off-cycle elections is consistent with the principles of free, fair and peaceful democratic competition.
The former president warned that the situation could become more dangerous if governors from opposing political parties began deploying their political and governmental influence to states holding elections.
He asked what would happen if political actors began matching political power with political power, governmental influence with governmental influence and mobilisation with counter-mobilisation.
Jonathan said such a development could deepen political tensions and turn elections into contests for political survival rather than peaceful efforts to secure voters’ mandates.
He urged political actors to view the issue as a national concern rather than a partisan dispute linked to the Osun election.
The former president also reminded serving and former public officials that their conduct carries greater responsibility, stressing that the influence attached to public office should be used to strengthen democratic institutions rather than create fear or apprehension among citizens and political opponents.
Jonathan said Nigeria must avoid a situation where political victory is pursued at all costs, warning that unchecked political aggression could have serious long-term consequences for the country’s democracy.
