Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has called for new boundaries on political conduct during Nigeria’s off-cycle elections.
He warned that the growing presence of serving governors, senior government officials and influential party leaders on election day could threaten the country’s fragile democracy.
In a statement shared on X, Jonathan commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, political parties and the people of Osun State for the peaceful conduct of the recent governorship election.
However, he expressed concern over what he described as an emerging pattern of political leaders converging on states with large entourages, aides and heavy security details from outside the state.
According to the former president, similar situations occurred during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship elections.
He recalled that, while serving as president, he ordered senior political leaders and government officials to leave the affected states after being briefed about their presence.
Jonathan said political parties have the right to campaign, mobilise supporters and deploy legitimate structures, describing such activities as essential to democracy.
However, he warned that the overwhelming presence of powerful office holders on election day could create an atmosphere of intimidation, apprehension and undue pressure for voters and political opponents.
“We must not allow political competition to become a contest in which victory is perceived as something that must be achieved at all costs,” Jonathan said.
He urged Nigerians to view the issue as a national democratic concern rather than a partisan dispute linked to the Osun election.
He cautioned that if governors from opposing parties begin descending on every state holding a competitive election, political contests could degenerate into battles of power, influence and counter-mobilisation.
“Such a development would not strengthen our democracy,” Jonathan warned. “It would deepen political tensions and could make elections increasingly resemble battles for political survival rather than peaceful contests for the mandate of the people.”
The former president also questioned whether the increasing deployment of political power and large-scale mobilisation by senior office holders on election day is consistent with the spirit of free, fair and peaceful democratic competition.
He noted that such conduct is uncommon in other democratic countries and urged Nigerians not to allow it to become normal in the country’s electoral process.
Jonathan stressed that those who have occupied public office carry a greater responsibility because their conduct sends a powerful message to citizens and political actors.
He said the authority and influence attached to public office should be used to strengthen democratic institutions, not to create apprehension among political opponents or citizens.
He therefore called for a national conversation and clearer limits on the participation of serving public officials in off-cycle elections, warning that unchecked political mobilisation could have serious long-term implications for democratic stability in Nigeria.