Jonathan warns governors, politicians against ‘Invading’ states during off-cycle elections

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned governors, senior political office holders and party leaders against the growing practice of converging on states during off-cycle elections, saying the trend could pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic stability.

Jonathan raised the concern on Tuesday in a statement shared on his X handle while reflecting on the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

His comments came amid the massive mobilisation of political figures into the state ahead of and during the election, with several governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives and ministers reportedly involved in efforts to secure victory for their respective parties.

Despite concerns over heavy political mobilisation and allegations of intimidation, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared Governor Ademola Adeleke winner of the election, securing his re-election.

Jonathan, however, commended INEC, security agencies, political parties and the people of Osun State for their roles in ensuring a peaceful election.

He said the political conduct witnessed during recent off-cycle elections, particularly in Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states, should not be allowed to become an established feature of Nigeria’s democracy.

“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,” Jonathan said.

The former president recalled that similar situations occurred during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship elections while he was in office.

According to him, he ordered senior government officials and party leaders to leave the states after being briefed about the large influx of political leaders.

“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 such practices to continue unchecked could create an atmosphere of fear, intimidation and undue pressure around elections.

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

While acknowledging the right of political parties to campaign and mobilise supporters, Jonathan said there must be limits to the deployment of political power, especially on election day.

He expressed concern that the overwhelming presence of serving governors and other influential public officials could undermine the spirit of free, fair and peaceful elections.

“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 mobilisation of powerful political actors into states holding elections was compatible with genuine 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.

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

The former president also cautioned against turning elections into desperate battles where political actors believe victory must be achieved at all costs.

He warned that the situation could worsen if governors and political leaders from rival parties begin to deploy their influence and governmental machinery to every state holding a competitive election.

“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?” Jonathan asked.

According to him, such a development could further heighten political tension and transform elections into battles for political survival rather than peaceful contests for the people’s mandate.

Jonathan urged Nigerians and political leaders not to view the issue solely through the lens of the Osun election, insisting that it was a broader concern about the future of Nigeria’s electoral democracy.

“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 further reminded serving and former public officials that the power and influence attached to their positions came with greater responsibility.

“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,” Jonathan said.