Former president says heavy presence of governors, political leaders and security personnel could threaten Nigeria’s democratic stability.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has criticised the growing practice of serving governors, political officeholders and party leaders converging on states holding off-cycle elections with large entourages of aides and security personnel.
Jonathan, in a post on his X handle on Tuesday, described the trend as “unwholesome” and warned that it could create an atmosphere of intimidation, apprehension and undue political pressure during elections.
He said the conduct witnessed during the recent governorship elections in Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states was unusual and should not become normal in a democratic society.
According to Jonathan, political parties have the right to campaign, mobilise supporters and deploy legitimate party structures, but the overwhelming presence of powerful political actors on election day could undermine free, fair and peaceful competition.
The former president recalled similar situations during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship elections when he was in office, saying he ordered senior government officials and party leaders to leave the states after being briefed about their presence.
Jonathan warned that if the current trend continues, governors from opposing parties could begin deploying political and governmental influence to every competitive off-cycle election, potentially escalating tensions.
He said such a development could make elections resemble “battles for political survival” rather than peaceful contests for the people’s mandate, urging political actors to protect Nigeria’s fragile democracy.