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Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has called for a review of political conduct during off-cycle elections, warning that the growing presence of senior political office holders and government officials at election venues could threaten democratic stability.
Jonathan made the call in response to the recent Osun State governorship election, which he described as evidence that Nigeria can still conduct polls that strengthen public confidence in democratic institutions.
He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties and residents of Osun State for the peaceful conduct of the election, but said emerging political practices around off-cycle polls require national attention.
According to the former president, the increasing mobilisation of serving governors, senior political figures, party leaders and their aides from outside states where elections are taking place has created concerns over the neutrality and atmosphere surrounding elections.
Jonathan said similar situations occurred during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship elections when he served as president. He recalled directing party leaders and senior government officials involved in such mobilisations to leave the states.
“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.
He argued that while political parties have the right to campaign, mobilise supporters and use their structures, large-scale mobilisation involving powerful political actors on election day could create an atmosphere of intimidation and undue pressure.
Jonathan warned that if the practice becomes normalised, elections could gradually become contests of political influence rather than peaceful competitions for voters’ mandate.
He called on the National Peace Committee to convene a stakeholders’ meeting to discuss standards for political conduct during elections. The proposed engagement, he said, should include political parties, INEC, security agencies, the National Assembly, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, civil society groups and the media.
Jonathan said such a conversation would help establish clear boundaries for political activity and protect Nigeria’s democratic institutions before questionable practices become accepted as normal.
