Former President Goodluck Jonathan has cautioned against the growing practice of serving governors, senior political office holders and party leaders converging on states during off-cycle elections, warning that the trend could undermine Nigeria’s democratic stability.
Jonathan raised the concern in a statement posted on his X handle on Tuesday while reacting to the recently concluded Osun State governorship election.
The former president commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, political parties and the people of Osun State for the peaceful conduct of the poll. However, he expressed concern over what he described as an emerging and troubling pattern in the conduct of political actors during off-cycle elections.
According to Jonathan, the level of political mobilisation witnessed during recent governorship elections in Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states was unusual and should not become accepted practice in a democratic society.
“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,” he said.
Jonathan recalled similar incidents during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship elections, when he was President.
He said that on those occasions, senior political leaders mobilised to the states, prompting him to order party leaders and senior government officials to leave after receiving security briefings.
“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,” he said.
Jonathan warned that the growing presence of powerful political actors during elections could create an atmosphere of apprehension, intimidation and undue pressure on voters and other participants.
“This trend is unwholesome. If left unchecked, it could threaten our fragile democracy and have serious long-term implications for democratic stability,” he said.
The former president acknowledged that political parties have the right to campaign, mobilise supporters and deploy legitimate party structures, describing such activities as essential to democracy.
However, he said the overwhelming presence of serving governors, senior public officials and influential political figures from across the country on election day could go beyond legitimate political mobilisation.
“Political parties are entitled to campaign, mobilise their supporters and deploy their legitimate party structures. That is an essential part of democracy. However, 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,” Jonathan said.
He questioned whether the increasing deployment of political power and large-scale mobilisation by senior office holders during off-cycle elections was compatible with the principles of free and fair democratic competition.
Jonathan urged political leaders and public officials to exercise restraint and ensure that their conduct does not undermine public confidence in the electoral process or Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
