Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has called for clearer boundaries on the conduct of political actors during off-cycle elections, warning that the growing presence of serving governors, senior government officials and political heavyweights in states holding elections could threaten Nigeria’s democratic stability. Jonathan made the call in a statement on……
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has called for clearer boundaries on the conduct of political actors during off-cycle elections, warning that the growing presence of serving governors, senior government officials and political heavyweights in states holding elections could threaten Nigeria’s democratic stability.
Jonathan made the call in a statement on Tuesday via his verified X handle as he reacted to Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State, where he commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties and the people of the state for what he described as the peaceful conduct of the poll.
While praising the electoral process, the former president expressed concern over what he described as an “emerging trend” in political conduct during off-cycle elections.
He particularly criticised the practice of serving governors, senior political office holders, party leaders and other influential government functionaries travelling into states where elections are taking place, often accompanied by large numbers of aides and security personnel.
“While we commend the electoral process itself, there are developments surrounding the election and, more importantly, an emerging trend in political conduct during off-cycle elections that raises concerns. The growing practice whereby serving governors, senior political office holders, party leaders and other influential government functionaries, accompanied by large numbers of aides and heavy security details from outside a state, converge on states where elections are being conducted raises an issue that demands national attention.
“The conduct witnessed around the recent elections in Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States was, in my view, unusual. It is not a practice that should become normal in a democratic society. I recall that, as President, similar situations arose during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship elections. On those occasions, senior political leaders mobilised and descended upon the states. Upon being briefed, I ordered party leaders and senior government officials to leave the states immediately. This trend is unwholesome. If left unchecked, it could threaten our fragile democracy and have serious long-term implications for democratic stability,” he said.
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Jonathan warned that allowing the current trend to continue could create an atmosphere of apprehension, intimidation and undue pressure during elections.
“Political parties are entitled to campaign, mobilise their supporters and deploy their legitimate party structures,” he said, stressing that such activities were an essential part of democracy.
However, he argued that political mobilisation could cross a line when it involved an overwhelming presence of serving governors, senior public officials and powerful political actors from across the country on election day.
He questioned whether such a concentration of political power and governmental influence was consistent with the principles of free, fair and peaceful democratic competition.
Jonathan also warned about the precedent such conduct could establish, asking what would happen if governors from opposing parties began travelling to every state holding competitive elections in an effort to match one another’s political influence and mobilisation.
He said such a development could deepen political tensions and transform elections from peaceful contests for the people’s mandate into battles for political survival.
The former president therefore urged Nigerians to view the issue as a broader national concern rather than a partisan dispute arising from the Osun election.
He also called on former and serving public officials to recognise the greater responsibility attached to their positions, saying the influence of public office should be deployed to strengthen democratic institutions rather than create apprehension among political opponents and citizens.
Jonathan said Nigeria must ensure that political competition does not become a contest in which victory is pursued “at all costs,” warning that the long-term health of the country’s democracy depends on establishing appropriate boundaries for political conduct during elections.
