Jonathan Kicks Against Governors’ Mass Presence In Off-Cycle Election States

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has kicked against the growing practice of serving governors, senior political office holders and party leaders converging on states where off-cycle elections are being conducted, warning that the trend could threaten Nigeria’s democratic stability.

Jonathan raised the concern in a statement posted on his X handle on Tuesday while commenting on the recently concluded Osun State governorship election.

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 election.

However, he expressed concern over what he described as an emerging trend in political conduct during off-cycle elections in the country.

“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. It is not a practice that should become normal in a democratic society,” he said.

Jonathan recalled similar situations during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship elections when he was president, saying he had directed party leaders and senior government officials to leave the states after being briefed about their presence.

“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.

He warned that the increasing presence of powerful political actors during off-cycle elections could create an atmosphere of apprehension, intimidation and undue pressure on voters and political opponents.

“This trend is unwholesome. If left unchecked, it could threaten our fragile democracy and have serious long-term implications for democratic stability,” he said.

The former president acknowledged the constitutional right of political parties to campaign, mobilise supporters and deploy legitimate party structures, but cautioned against overwhelming political mobilisation on election day.

“Political parties are entitled to campaign, mobilise their supporters and deploy their legitimate party structures. That is an essential part of democracy. 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.

Jonathan questioned whether the increasing deployment of political power and large-scale mobilisation by senior government officials during off-cycle elections was consistent with 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,” he said.

He added, “This hardly happens in other democratic countries.”

Jonathan further warned against turning political contests into battles where victory is pursued at all costs.

“We must not allow political competition to become a contest in which victory is perceived as something that must be achieved at all costs,” he said.

According to him, the situation could become more dangerous if governors from opposing political parties begin deploying political and governmental influence in states holding competitive elections.

“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?” he asked.

He said such a development could deepen political tensions and transform elections into contests for political survival rather than peaceful efforts to secure the mandate of voters.

Jonathan urged political actors to treat the issue as a national concern rather than a partisan dispute arising from the Osun election.

“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,” he said.

He also reminded former and serving public officials that their conduct carries greater responsibility because of the influence attached to public office.

“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 said.

Jonathan’s comments followed the declaration of Osun State governor Ademola Adeleke as winner of the August 15 governorship election by INEC.

Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, polled 511,067 votes to defeat his closest challenger, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes.