Jonathan calls for new boundaries in political conduct during off-cycle elections
pannigeriannews
3 min read
By Isaiah Adewole
Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has called for the establishment of clear national standards to regulate the conduct of political actors during off-cycle elections, warning that the growing deployment of serving governors, senior political office holders and large security details could undermine Nigeria’s democratic stability.
Jonathan made the call in a statement on the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, where he commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties and the people of Osun for what he described as the peaceful conduct of the poll.
While commending the electoral process, the former President expressed concern over what he described as an “emerging trend in political conduct during off-cycle elections,” particularly the movement of influential4 political figures from outside the state into states where elections are being conducted.
“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,” Jonathan said.
According to him, the conduct witnessed during recent elections in Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states was unusual and should not become an accepted feature of Nigeria’s electoral process.
Jonathan recalled that similar situations occurred during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship elections when he was President.
He said he had, upon being briefed about the development at the time, ordered party leaders and senior government officials to immediately leave the affected states.
“This trend is unwholesome. If left unchecked, it could threaten our fragile democracy and have serious long-term implications for democratic stability,” he warned.
The former President acknowledged that political parties have the right to campaign, mobilise supporters and deploy legitimate party structures, noting that such activities are essential to democracy.
However, he argued that the overwhelming presence of serving governors, senior public officials and powerful political actors on election day could create an atmosphere of “apprehension, intimidation, bullying and undue pressure.”
Jonathan questioned whether the increasing deployment of political power and large-scale mobilisation by senior office holders during elections was consistent with the spirit of free, fair and peaceful democratic competition.
He also warned against allowing political contests to become battles in which victory is pursued “at all costs,” arguing that the practice could establish a4 dangerous precedent in which rival political parties respond by deploying their own political and governmental influence during elections.
“What happens when governors from opposing political parties begin to descend on every state holding a competitive election?” he asked, warning that such a development could deepen political tensions and make elections resemble “battles for political survival rather than peaceful contests for the mandate of the people.”
Jonathan stressed that the issue should not be viewed as a partisan dispute arising from the Osun election but as a broader national question concerning the future of Nigeria’s electoral democracy.
He urged former and serving public officials to recognise the greater responsibility that comes with political power and influence.
“The power and influence attached to public office should be used to strengthen democratic institutions, not to create apprehension among political opponents or citizens,” he said.
To address the issue, Jonathan called on the National Peace Committee to convene a stakeholders’ engagement as soon as practicable.
He said the proposed meeting should provide a neutral platform for political leaders and other stakeholders to examine emerging electoral practices and agree on standards that would protect democracy and preserve peace.
According to him, the engagement should include the leadership of registered political parties, INEC, relevant security agencies, the National Assembly, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, civil society organisations and the media.
Jonathan said the National Peace Committee was particularly positioned to lead the initiative because of the confidence and moral authority it had built through its interventions during periods of political tension.
“An early national conversation can help us establish appropriate boundaries and expectations for political conduct before practices that are unusual today become accepted as normal tomorrow,” he said.
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