By Kamsi Anayo
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has raised concerns over the growing practice of serving governors, political office holders and party leaders converging on states during off-cycle elections, describing the development as unhealthy for Nigeria’s democracy.
Jonathan, in a statement posted on his social media accounts on Tuesday, said the presence of senior political figures from outside the states where elections are taking place, often accompanied by aides and heavy security details, requires national attention.
He was reacting to the recent governorship election in Osun State, while also referencing similar developments observed during the off-cycle elections in Ekiti and Ondo states.
“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,” the former president said.
Recalling similar incidents during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship elections, Jonathan said he had directed senior political leaders and government officials to leave the states.
“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.
The former president warned that the practice should be checked to prevent it from undermining Nigeria’s democratic development.
“If left unchecked, it could threaten our fragile democracy and have serious long-term implications for democratic stability.”
Jonathan also called on the National Peace Committee to convene a stakeholders’ engagement aimed at addressing the trend.
He said the Osun governorship election showed that Nigeria could still conduct elections capable of strengthening public confidence in democratic institutions despite the challenges facing the country’s electoral system.
“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,” he said.
