Nigeria needs constitutional court to handle election disputes — Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called on the National Assembly to review Nigeria’s electoral dispute resolution process, describing the current multi-layer tribunal system as too lengthy and in need of reform.

Jonathan made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during the 70th birthday celebration and book launch of Senator Gbenga Daniel, who represents Ogun East.

He proposed the establishment of a specialised constitutional court to handle political and election-related cases, saying it would help streamline the process and reduce pressure on the country’s political and judicial systems.

The former president criticised the existing three-stage litigation process for governorship elections, which moves from the election tribunal to the Court of Appeal and finally to the Supreme Court, saying the system has proven inefficient.

“I believe the ideal thing to do, which I was considering when I was in office, was to make sure that it’s only one tribunal that listens to any litigation relating to politics,” Jonathan said.

“This is done, especially in the Francophone countries in Africa. They have constitutional courts. Anything about elections, only the constitutional courts take decisions.”

Reflecting on past electoral cases, Jonathan recalled a controversial 2011 governorship dispute where a candidate lost his seat due to a technicality involving the colour of ink used during voting.

“I remember a particular case where someone lost an election as a governor because the law then stipulated the use of red ink to tick voters’ names,” he said.