Jonathan commends INEC over Osun election, seeks ban on governors, outsiders’ involvement

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for clearer boundaries for political conduct during off-cycle elections, warning that the growing mobilisation of serving governors, senior political office holders and heavy security details could threaten democratic stability.

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

He, however, expressed concern over the growing practice of serving governors, senior government officials, party leaders and other influential political actors converging on states holding elections, often accompanied by large numbers of aides and security personnel from outside the state.

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

“Political parties are entitled to campaign, mobilise their supporters and deploy their legitimate party structures. That is an essential part of democracy. However, there is a point at which political mobilisation can create an atmosphere of apprehension, intimidation, bullying and undue pressure,” he said.

Jonathan warned that if the practice became established, governors from opposing political parties could begin deploying political and governmental influence to states holding elections, potentially turning democratic contests into battles for political survival.

The former president said the issue should not be treated as a partisan dispute over the Osun election but as a broader national concern requiring collective action to protect Nigeria’s electoral democracy.

He further called on the National Peace Committee to convene a stakeholders’ meeting involving political parties, INEC, security agencies, the National Assembly, Nigerian Bar Association, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, civil society organisations and the media to develop acceptable standards for political conduct during elections.