Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has criticised the growing practice of serving governors, senior political office holders and other influential government officials converging in states where off-cycle elections are being conducted, warning that such conduct could threaten Nigeria’s fragile democracy.
Jonathan, in a statement titled “Osun and the Need to Set New Boundaries for Political Conduct in Off-Cycle Elections,” posted on his verified X handle, @GEJonathan, on Tuesday, said the development witnessed around recent governorship elections in Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states was “unusual” and should not become the norm in a democratic society.
His intervention comes against the backdrop of the massive presence of political heavyweights, including the Senate President, governors, federal lawmakers and other government functionaries, during the recent Osun governorship election.
Jonathan began by commending the conduct of the Osun election, saying it demonstrated that Nigeria still possessed the capacity to organise elections capable of restoring public confidence in democratic institutions.
“The outcome of the recent governorship election in Osun State demonstrates that, despite the challenges confronting our democracy, we possess the capacity to conduct elections in a manner that strengthens public confidence in our democratic institutions,” he said.
He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties and, particularly, the people of Osun State for what he described as the peaceful conduct of the election.
However, Jonathan said developments surrounding the election raised broader questions about the conduct of political actors during off-cycle elections.
“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.
According to him, the development was not peculiar to Osun, noting that similar conduct had been witnessed during elections in Ekiti and Ondo states.
“The conduct witnessed around the recent elections in Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States was, in my view, unusual. It is not a practice that should become normal in a democratic society,” Jonathan declared.
The former President recalled that similar circumstances occurred during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship elections when he was President.
“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 allowing the current trend to continue unchecked could have serious consequences for Nigeria’s democratic stability.
“This trend is unwholesome. If left unchecked, it could threaten our fragile democracy and have serious long-term implications for democratic stability,” he cautioned.
While acknowledging the right of political parties to campaign, mobilise supporters and deploy legitimate party structures, Jonathan said there must be limits to political mobilisation, particularly on election day.
“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,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to interrogate whether the increasing deployment of political power and governmental influence during state elections was compatible with the principles of free, fair and peaceful democratic competition.
“We must ask ourselves whether the increasing deployment of political power and large-scale mobilisation by senior office holders on election day in states holding elections is consistent with the spirit of free, fair and peaceful democratic competition,” Jonathan said.
The former President also expressed concern about the precedent such conduct could establish, warning of a situation where governors from rival political parties might begin descending on every state holding a competitive election.
“What happens when governors from opposing political parties begin to descend on every state holding a competitive election?” he asked.
“What happens when each party seeks to match political power with political power, governmental influence with governmental influence, and mobilisation with counter-mobilisation?”
Jonathan argued that such a scenario would not strengthen Nigeria’s democracy but could instead transform elections into high-stakes political battles.
“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.
He therefore urged Nigerians and political actors not to view the matter as a partisan dispute over the Osun election, but as a national issue requiring serious reflection and corrective action.
“I therefore believe that this matter should not be treated as a partisan dispute concerning the Osun election. It is a broader national issue concerning the future of our electoral democracy,” Jonathan said.
The former President further reminded political leaders that public office comes with a higher responsibility and that the influence attached to such offices should be deployed to protect democratic institutions rather than intimidate political opponents or citizens.
“Those of us who have occupied public office must recognise that our conduct carries a greater responsibility,” he said.
“The power and influence attached to public office should be used to strengthen democratic institutions, not to create apprehension among political opponents or citizens.”
Jonathan’s intervention effectively calls for clearer boundaries around the participation of serving public officials in off-cycle elections, particularly where their presence, security details and political influence could be perceived as exerting undue pressure on voters, opposition parties or electoral authorities.
His warning also places the growing spectacle of political mobilisation around off-cycle elections within a wider debate about the character, fairness and long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s democratic process.
