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Former President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the growing practice of serving governors, former governors and senior political office holders converging on states during off-cycle governorship elections, saying the trend witnessed in Osun, Ekiti and Ondo raises concerns and is not a practice that should become normal in a democratic society.
In a statement on Tuesday titled, “Osun and the need to set new boundaries for political conduct in off-cycle elections,” Jonathan commended the conduct of last Saturday’s Osun governorship election but warned that the political mobilisation around it could undermine democracy.
Praising the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s performance in Osun, the ex-president said it showed Nigeria’s democratic institutions are maturing.
He said, “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.
“I therefore commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the security agencies, political parties and, most importantly, the people of Osun State for the peaceful conduct of the recent governorship election.”
The former president then turned to what he called an “unwholesome” emerging trend: influential political actors from outside a state massing in election venues.
Jonathan said, “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.
“The conduct witnessed around the recent elections in Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States was, in my view, unusual.”
Jonathan said he had to intervene when similar incidents happened during his presidency.
“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.
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He argued that while parties have a right to campaign, the overwhelming presence of governors, former governors and federal officials on election day crosses a line.
“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.
“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. This hardly happens in other democratic countries,” he argued.
Jonathan warned that if unchecked, the practice could turn elections into “battles for political survival.”
He said, “If the current trend becomes established, what happens when governors from opposing political parties begin to descend on 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?
“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.”
The former president said the matter goes beyond party lines.
“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.
“Those of us who have occupied public office must recognise that our conduct carries a greater responsibility. The power and influence attached to public office should be used to strengthen democratic institutions, not to create apprehension among political opponents or citizens,” he stressed.
