Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for sweeping electoral reforms in Nigeria, warning that unchecked party indiscipline and flaws in the appointment of election officials threaten the country’s democratic future.
At an event in Abuja organised by the School of Social and Political Thought, Jonathan — represented by Ann Iyonu of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation — said democracy in Nigeria had made progress since 1999 but continued to face serious challenges.
He argued that political parties had become vulnerable to opportunism, pointing to the “disturbing rise” in defections by elected officials. To address this, he renewed his call for an independent registrar of political parties with the authority to regulate party operations, enforce discipline, and strip defectors of their seats if necessary. “The electoral mandate belongs to the people, not individual ambition,” he said.
Jonathan also pressed for reforms to the process of appointing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chair, proposing an independent nomination panel drawn from civil society, the judiciary, academia and professional groups. Such a system, he said, would help reduce perceptions of bias and build public trust.
Another priority, he noted, was ensuring that all post-election disputes are resolved before elected officials take office. Allowing candidates with unresolved cases to assume office, he warned, undermines governance and confuses the electorate.
While commending civil society groups for driving the reform agenda, Jonathan stressed the need for political courage and patriotism. “Let us confront our democratic weaknesses with honesty and reform our system with courage,” he said.
According to him, credible elections, stronger institutions and accountable leadership remain central to delivering democracy’s promise to Nigerians.
