Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for a national stakeholders’ engagement to establish clear boundaries for political conduct during off-cycle elections, warning that the growing mobilisation of serving governors, senior political office holders and other influential political actors could threaten Nigeria’s democratic stability.
Jonathan made the call in a post on his verified Facebook page, reacting to the conduct surrounding the recent governorship elections in Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States.
The former President commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties and the people of Osun State for the peaceful conduct of the recent governorship election.
He, however, expressed concern over what he described as an emerging and “unwholesome” trend in which serving governors, senior political office holders, party leaders and government functionaries converge on states holding elections, often accompanied by large numbers of aides and security personnel from outside the state.
According to Jonathan, “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 recalled that similar situations occurred during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship elections when he was President, noting that he directed party leaders and senior government officials to leave the states after being briefed about their presence.
Jonathan warned that allowing the trend to become normal could have serious implications for Nigeria’s democratic development.
“This trend is unwholesome. If left unchecked, it could threaten our fragile democracy and have serious long-term implications for democratic stability,” he said.
While acknowledging the right of political parties to campaign, mobilise supporters and deploy legitimate party structures, the former President cautioned against political mobilisation that could create an atmosphere of apprehension, intimidation or undue pressure during elections.
He said the presence of large numbers of serving governors and powerful political actors from across the country on election day could undermine the spirit of free, fair and peaceful competition.
Jonathan also warned about the precedent such conduct could establish, asking what would happen if governors from opposing political parties began deploying similar political and governmental influence to every state holding a competitive election.
“What happens when each party seeks to match political power with political power, governmental influence with governmental influence, and mobilisation with counter-mobilisation?” he asked.
He argued that such a development would deepen political tensions and potentially transform elections from peaceful contests for the people’s mandate into battles for political survival.
Jonathan therefore urged political leaders to treat the issue as a national democratic concern rather than a partisan dispute arising from the Osun election.
He said those who have occupied public office have a greater responsibility to ensure that the power and influence attached to their positions are used to strengthen democratic institutions rather than create apprehension among political opponents and citizens.
To address the issue, Jonathan called on the National Peace Committee to convene an urgent stakeholders’ engagement involving the leadership of registered political parties, INEC, security agencies, the National Assembly, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, civil society organisations and the media.
He said the National Peace Committee was well positioned to lead the conversation because of the confidence and moral authority it had built over the years in bringing political leaders together during periods of national 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,” Jonathan stated.
The former President urged political leaders and other stakeholders to use the proposed engagement to develop standards that would protect Nigeria’s democracy, preserve peace and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
