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Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for a national conversation on political conduct during off-cycle elections, warning that the growing influx of serving governors and senior political office holders into states holding elections could undermine Nigeria's democracy.
In a statement following the recent Osun State governorship election, Jonathan commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties and the people of Osun for conducting a peaceful poll that reinforced confidence in the country's democratic process.
Despite the successful conduct of the election, the former President expressed concern over what he described as an emerging pattern in which influential political figures from across the country converge on states during governorship elections with large entourages and heavy security details.
He cited similar developments during recent elections in Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states, describing the trend as unusual and one that should not become the norm in a democratic society.
Jonathan recalled that while serving as President, he ordered senior government officials and party leaders to leave Anambra and Ekiti states during the 2013 and 2014 governorship elections after they had mobilised into the states for the polls.
According to him, allowing the current trend to continue unchecked could threaten Nigeria's fragile democracy and have serious long-term consequences for democratic stability.
He stressed that while political parties have the right to campaign and mobilise supporters, the overwhelming presence of serving governors, senior officials and other powerful political actors on election day could create an atmosphere of intimidation, apprehension and undue pressure.
The former President questioned whether such large-scale political mobilisation was consistent with the principles of free, fair and peaceful elections, noting that the practice is uncommon in other democratic nations.
He warned that if the trend becomes entrenched, rival political parties may begin deploying governors and other influential office holders to every competitive election, escalating political tensions and turning elections into battles for political survival.
Jonathan urged Nigerians to treat the issue as a national concern rather than a partisan debate over the Osun election, saying public office holders have a responsibility to strengthen democratic institutions through their conduct.
He called on the National Peace Committee to convene a stakeholders' meeting involving political parties, INEC, security agencies, the National Assembly, the Nigeria Governors' Forum, the Nigerian Bar Association, civil society organisations and the media to agree on standards that would safeguard electoral integrity.
According to Jonathan, an early national dialogue would help establish appropriate boundaries for political conduct before the emerging practice becomes an accepted feature of Nigeria's electoral process.
