Omanghana
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that the growing presence of serving governors, senior public officials and powerful party leaders in states conducting off-cycle elections could undermine the country’s democracy.
Jonathan raised the concern in a statement issued on Tuesday, August 18, titled, “Osun and the Need to Set New Boundaries for Political Conduct in Off-Cycle Elections.”
He described as “unwholesome” the practice of influential political figures arriving in election states with large entourages, lengthy convoys, aides and heavily armed security personnel.
Jonathan Commends Peaceful Osun Election
Despite his concerns, Jonathan praised the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, political parties and voters for the peaceful conduct of the recent Osun governorship election.
He said the electoral process demonstrated Nigeria’s ability to organize elections capable of strengthening confidence in democratic institutions.
However, the former president maintained that the peaceful conduct of voting should not overshadow troubling practices surrounding political mobilization on election day.
“The growing practice whereby serving governors, senior political officeholders, 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 pointed to similar conduct surrounding recent elections in Osun, Ekiti and Ondo, arguing that such displays of political and governmental influence should not be allowed to become normal features of Nigerian elections.
Excessive Mobilization Could Intimidate Voters
Jonathan acknowledged that political parties have the right to campaign, organize their members and mobilize supporters. He nevertheless argued that limits must be established, particularly on election day.
According to him, the overwhelming presence of serving governors, senior officials and other powerful political actors could generate fear, intimidate voters and place undue pressure on electoral officials and opposition parties.
He warned that elections should remain peaceful contests for the people’s mandate rather than struggles in which political actors pursue victory at all costs.
“There is a point at which political mobilization, 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,” he stated.
Former President Recalls Actions Taken While in Office
Jonathan recalled encountering similar situations during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship elections while he was president.
He said that after receiving reports about the presence of senior officials and party leaders in those states, he instructed them to leave immediately.
The former president presented the decision as an example of the restraint political leaders must exercise to protect public confidence in elections.
Warning Over Escalating Political Tensions
Jonathan cautioned that the situation could become more dangerous if rival parties begin responding with their own governors, government resources and security-backed entourages.
He said such competition would increase political tension and make elections appear more like confrontations for political survival than democratic exercises.
“Such a development would not strengthen our democracy. It 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 warned.
Jonathan called for clearer expectations and boundaries governing the conduct of senior political officeholders during off-cycle elections before the emerging practice becomes accepted as normal.
His intervention followed public debate over the presence of several All Progressives Congress governors and senior party figures in Osun during the governorship election. Videos circulated online showing long convoys and heavily armed security personnel accompanying some visiting officials.
The former president’s statement adds to calls for political leaders to exercise restraint and ensure that voters can participate in elections without intimidation or excessive displays of state power.
Source: Omanghana
