Jonathan urges new rules for political conduct during off-cycle elections

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for the establishment of clear boundaries for political conduct during off-cycle elections, warning that the growing mobilisation of serving governors, senior politicians and heavy security details from outside states could undermine Nigeria’s democracy.

Jonathan made the call in a statement on the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, in which he commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties and the people of Osun for the peaceful conduct of the poll.

The former president, however, expressed concern over what he described as an emerging and “unwholesome” trend of influential political actors converging on states holding elections with large entourages, aides and security personnel.

He said similar situations occurred during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship elections when he was president, adding that he ordered senior political leaders and government officials to leave the states after being briefed about their presence.

Jonathan said political parties had the right to campaign, mobilise supporters and deploy legitimate party structures, but warned that the overwhelming presence of serving governors and senior public officials on election day could create an atmosphere of intimidation 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,” he said.

According to him, allowing the practice to continue could encourage a situation where governors and political parties begin matching governmental influence with counter-mobilisation whenever elections are held.

He warned that such a development could heighten political tensions and transform elections into contests for political survival rather than peaceful competition for the people’s mandate.

Jonathan stressed that the issue should not be viewed as a partisan dispute over the Osun election but as a broader national concern requiring collective action.

“Those of us who have occupied public office must recognise that our conduct carries a greater responsibility,” he said, adding that the influence attached to public office should be used to strengthen democratic institutions rather than create apprehension among citizens and political opponents.

The former president consequently urged the National Peace Committee to convene a stakeholders’ meeting to examine emerging practices surrounding off-cycle elections and develop acceptable standards for political conduct.

He proposed that the meeting should involve the leadership of registered political parties, INEC, security agencies, the National Assembly, Nigerian Bar Association, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, civil society organisations and the media.

Jonathan said the National Peace Committee was well positioned to lead the engagement because of the confidence and moral authority it had built in bringing political actors together during periods of national tension.

He said an early national dialogue would help establish appropriate boundaries for political conduct before practices considered unusual today become accepted as normal in Nigeria’s electoral system.