Ex-President Jonathan Warns Against Governors, Political Leaders ‘Descending’ on States During Elections
Former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has warned against governors and political leaders trooping into states where elections are being held, describing the practice as unusual and cautioning that it should not be normalised in a democratic society.
In a statement signed by him, Jonathan, who is also a former Vice President, noted that the outcome of the recent governorship election in Osun State demonstrates that, despite the challenges confronting Nigeria’s democracy, the country possesses the capacity to conduct elections in a manner that strengthens public confidence in its democratic institutions.
He therefore commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the security agencies, political parties and, most importantly, the people of Osun State for the peaceful conduct of the election.
While also applauding the electoral process, the former president pointed out that there are developments surrounding the election and 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,” he said.
Reflecting on his tenure as President, Jonathan affirmed that similar situations arose during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship elections.
He noted that 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 argued.
Jonathan acknowledged that political parties are entitled to campaign, mobilise their supporters, and deploy their legitimate party structures, saying it is an essential part of democracy.
He, however, asserted 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.
“We must ask ourselves whether the increasing deployment of political power and large-scale mobilisation by senior office holders on election day in states holding elections is consistent with the spirit of free, fair and peaceful democratic competition,” he stated, stressing that this hardly happens in other democratic countries.
Jonathan urged leaders not to allow political competition to become a contest in which victory is perceived as something that must be achieved at all costs.
He also raised the issue of precedent, asking what would happen if governors from opposing political parties began to descend on every state holding a competitive election and the current trend became established.
He further asked what would happen if each party sought to match political power with political power, governmental influence with governmental influence, and mobilisation with counter-mobilisation.
Jonathan warned that such a development would not strengthen Nigeria’s democracy but would deepen political tensions and could make elections increasingly resemble battles for political survival rather than peaceful contests for the mandate of the people.
He advised that the matter should not be treated as a partisan dispute concerning the Osun election but rather as a broader national issue concerning the future of Nigeria’s electoral democracy.
“Those of us who have occupied public office must recognise that our conduct carries a greater responsibility. The power and influence attached to public office should be used to strengthen democratic institutions, not to create apprehension among political opponents or citizens.”
For this reason, the former president called on the National Peace Committee to convene, as soon as practicable, a stakeholders’ engagement.
According to him, the purpose of such a meeting should be to provide a neutral and constructive platform for political leaders and other stakeholders to reflect on emerging practices around elections and agree on standards that will protect the country’s democracy and preserve peace.
He advised that the engagement should bring together key stakeholders, including the leadership of registered political parties, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), relevant security agencies, the leadership of the National Assembly, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), civil society organisations, and the media, to interrogate what he described as a “troubling trend.”
Jonathan expressed confidence 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.
He emphasised that an early national conversation can help Nigeria establish appropriate boundaries and expectations for political conduct before practices that are unusual today become accepted as normal tomorrow.
