Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned President Bola Tinubu, serving state governors, and influential political actors against the practice of “invading” states with security personnel, political aides, and administrative machinery during off-cycle elections.
In a statement following the recent governorship election in Osun State, Jonathan described the influx of external political figures and heavy security details as “unwholesome,” warning that it threatens Nigeria’s democracy and risks turning elections into displays of political intimidation and raw power.
While commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties, and voters in Osun for a peaceful process, the former president emphasized that the heavy presence of outside officials raises national concerns. He noted that similar trends had been observed during previous off-cycle elections in Ekiti and Ondo states.
Reflecting on his tenure as president, Jonathan recalled ordering political leaders and senior government officials to vacate states immediately after being briefed about their unsolicited movement into election zones during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship polls.
Jonathan clarified that while political parties maintain the fundamental right to campaign and mobilize, the overwhelming presence of serving governors and senior officials on election day creates an environment of fear, apprehension, and undue pressure.
To address the issue, Jonathan called on the National Peace Committee to urgently convene a national stakeholders’ meeting. He suggested that the engagement bring together leadership from political parties, INEC, security agencies, the National Assembly, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, civil society organizations, and the media to establish clear guidelines for political conduct during elections.
