Key Takeaways
- Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for an urgent national stakeholders' engagement to address the growing trend of senior political figures descending on states during off-cycle elections.
- He warns that this practice, observed in recent governorship elections in Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo, creates undue pressure and could threaten Nigeria's fragile democracy.
- Jonathan emphasizes that political mobilization on election day must have clear boundaries to prevent intimidation and maintain electoral integrity.
- He proposes that the National Peace Committee lead a broad stakeholders' discussion to establish appropriate standards for political conduct.
- The former President stresses that public office holders must use their influence to strengthen democratic institutions, not to create apprehension or undermine the electoral process.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has raised a critical alarm over an emerging and potentially destabilizing trend in Nigeria's electoral landscape: the convergence of serving governors, senior public officials, and influential political figures on states during off-cycle elections. In a statement personally signed and released on Tuesday in Abuja, Jonathan underscored the urgent need for a national stakeholders' engagement to address this practice, which he believes poses a significant threat to the nation's delicate democratic fabric.
Jonathan specifically referenced the recent governorship elections in Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo states, where this phenomenon was prominently observed. He cautioned that if left unchecked, such overwhelming political presence could generate immense pressure, potentially undermining the integrity and peaceful conduct of future elections. While commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties, and the people of Osun for the generally peaceful conduct of their recent governorship election, Jonathan stressed that even legitimate political mobilization must operate within defined boundaries.
“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,” Jonathan stated. He elaborated on “the growing practice whereby serving governors, senior political office holders, party leaders and other influential government functionaries, accompanied by large number 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.” He described the conduct witnessed around the recent elections as “unusual” and warned against it becoming a normalized practice in a democratic society.
Historical Precedent and Present Dangers
Recalling his own tenure as president, Jonathan highlighted similar situations during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship elections. He recounted how, upon being briefed about senior political leaders mobilizing and descending on those states, he promptly “ordered party leaders and senior government officials to leave the states immediately.” This historical context underscores his consistent concern about the potential for such actions to disrupt electoral peace and fairness.
The former President described the current trend as 'unwholesome,' asserting that its unchecked continuation could have serious long-term implications for Nigeria's democratic stability. While acknowledging the right of political parties to campaign, mobilize supporters, and deploy legitimate party structures—an essential component of democracy—Jonathan drew a crucial distinction. He argued that “there is a point at which political mobilisation, particularly when it involves the overwhelming presence of serving governors, senior public officials and powerful political actors from across the country on election day, can create an atmosphere of apprehension, intimidation, bullying and undue pressure.”
He challenged stakeholders to consider whether the increasing deployment of political power and large-scale mobilization by senior office holders on election day aligns with the spirit of free, fair, and peaceful democratic competition, noting that such practices are uncommon in other established democracies. Jonathan warned against allowing political competition to devolve into a contest where victory is perceived as something that “must be achieved at all costs.”
The Call for National Dialogue
Jonathan also raised the critical question of precedent: “If the current trend becomes established, what happens when governors from opposing political parties begin to descend on every state holding a competitive election?” He envisioned a scenario where each party attempts to match political power with political power, governmental influence with governmental influence, and mobilization with counter-mobilization. Such a development, he cautioned, would not strengthen Nigeria's democracy but rather deepen political tensions, making elections increasingly resemble “battles for political survival rather than peaceful contests for the mandate of the people.”
Emphasizing that this issue transcends partisan disputes related to any specific election, Jonathan framed it as a broader national concern for the future of Nigeria’s electoral democracy. He urged those who have held public office to recognize the greater responsibility that accompanies their conduct, stressing that the power and influence attached to public office should be used to strengthen democratic institutions, not to create apprehension among political opponents or citizens.
To address this pressing matter, Jonathan specifically called upon the National Peace Committee to convene, as soon as practicable, a stakeholders’ engagement. This platform, he believes, would provide a neutral and constructive environment for political leaders and other stakeholders to reflect on these emerging electoral practices and agree on standards that would protect Nigeria’s democracy and preserve peace. He suggested that this engagement should bring together key stakeholders, including the leadership of registered political parties, INEC, relevant security agencies, the leadership of the National Assembly, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, civil society organizations, and the media, to thoroughly interrogate this troubling trend.
“I believe that the National Peace Committee is particularly well placed to lead this conversation because of the confidence and moral authority it has built over the years in bringing political leaders together at moments of national tension,” Jonathan affirmed. He concluded by stating that an early national conversation could help establish appropriate boundaries and expectations for political conduct “before practices that are unusual today become accepted as normal tomorrow.”
Why This Matters
Former President Jonathan's intervention highlights a critical vulnerability in Nigeria's democratic process, where the unchecked display of political power during elections risks eroding public trust and escalating tensions. Addressing this trend through a broad national dialogue is crucial for safeguarding electoral integrity, fostering a level playing field, and ensuring that Nigeria's democracy matures into a truly representative and peaceful system.
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