By Elvira Jordan
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has raised concerns over the growing involvement of serving governors, ministers, senior political office holders and other influential government functionaries in off-cycle governorship elections, warning that the practice could undermine Nigeria’s democratic system if left unchecked.
Jonathan made the remarks in a statement issued on Tuesday, while reacting to the peaceful conduct and outcome of the Osun State governorship election held on Saturday, August 15.
The former President commended the people of Osun State for their participation in the election, as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other stakeholders for their roles in ensuring a peaceful electoral process.
He however, expressed concern over what he described as an emerging and “unwholesome” pattern in which serving governors, ministers, party leaders and other senior government officials converge on states during off-cycle elections, often accompanied by large numbers of aides and heavy security personnel.
According to Jonathan, the development, which he said had been witnessed during recent elections in Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states, raises serious concerns about the future of constitutional democracy in Nigeria.
“The growing practice whereby serving Governors, senior political office holders, party leaders and influential Government functionaries, accompanied by a large number of aides, and heavy security details from outside a state, converge on states where elections are being conducted raises an issue that demands national attention,” he said.
Jonathan described the conduct surrounding the recent elections in the three states as unusual, stressing that such a practice should not become normal in a democratic society.
He warned that if the trend continued unchecked, it could place undue pressure on the electoral environment and have long-term consequences for Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Despite his concerns, Jonathan described the peaceful conduct and outcome of the August 15 Osun governorship election as encouraging.
He said the election provided a positive indication that democratic practices were gaining stronger roots in Nigeria.
“While we commend the electoral process itself, there are developments surrounding the election and more importantly, an emerging trend in political conducts during off-circle elections that raises concerns,” he said.
Jonathan maintained that the country must remain vigilant against practices capable of weakening democratic institutions, stressing that electoral democracy depends not only on peaceful voting but also on ensuring that political actors operate within acceptable constitutional and democratic boundaries.
He urged political parties and government officials to exercise restraint and allow legitimate party structures and electoral institutions to perform their respective roles.
According to the former President, protecting Nigeria’s democracy requires collective responsibility, particularly at a time when the country continues to strengthen its electoral processes and democratic institutions.
Meanwhile, Afrobeats superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as David, has described his uncle Ademola Adeleke’s re-election as governor of Osun State as a major political battle, saying the governor overcame a formidable political opposition to retain his seat.
Davido, reacting to the outcome of the Osun State governorship election, in a press briefing, claimed that as many as 17 governors, 50 senators and several members of the House of Representatives were aligned against Adeleke during the election.
According to the music star, the scale of political opposition made the victory particularly significant, describing it as a demonstration of the power of voters to determine the outcome of an election.
Davido said the people of Osun State stood firmly behind Adeleke despite what he described as attempts at intimidation and vote-buying during the electoral process.
He maintained that the outcome of the election showed that political influence and the backing of powerful office holders could not necessarily override the wishes of voters when citizens remained determined to exercise their franchise.
The singer praised Osun voters for what he described as their courage and resilience, arguing that their decision to support Adeleke demonstrated the importance of popular participation in a democratic system.
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