Jonathan: How I Chased Governors, Top PDP Leaders Out of Anambra, Ekiti During Elections to Prevent Intimidation, Violence

By Chike Ofili
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has explained why, as President, he ordered governors and senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders to leave Anambra and Ekiti States during their governorship elections, warning that the growing “show of force” by powerful political actors around off-cycle polls must stop.

Jonathan said the presence of serving governors, senior political office holders, party leaders and other influential government functionaries, accompanied by large entourages and heavy security details, could create an atmosphere of intimidation, apprehension and undue pressure capable of undermining the credibility of elections.

In a statement on the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, the former President 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, raised concerns over what he described as an emerging and “unwholesome” pattern of political conduct during off-cycle elections, particularly the movement of powerful political actors from across the country into states where elections are being held.

Jonathan recalled that he confronted a similar situation during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship elections while serving as President.

“I recall that, as President, similar situations arose during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship elections. On those occasions, senior political leaders mobilised and descended upon the states. Upon being briefed, I ordered party leaders and senior government officials to leave the states immediately,” he said.

The former President said his decision was informed by the need to prevent political competition from degenerating into a contest of governmental power, influence and intimidation.

He argued that although political parties were entitled to campaign, mobilise supporters and deploy their legitimate structures, there was a point at which the overwhelming presence of serving governors, senior public officials and powerful political figures could become counterproductive.

“The conduct witnessed around the recent elections in Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States was, in my view, unusual. It is not a practice that should become normal in a democratic society,” he said.

Jonathan warned that the trend could create a dangerous precedent if left unchecked, as opposing political parties could begin deploying governors and other powerful officials in equal numbers to every state holding a competitive election.

“What happens when governors from opposing political parties begin to descend on every state holding a competitive election?” he asked.

“What happens when each party seeks to match political power with political power, governmental influence with governmental influence, and mobilisation with counter-mobilisation?”

According to him, such a development would not strengthen democracy but could deepen political tensions and make elections increasingly resemble battles for political survival rather than peaceful contests for the mandate of the people.

He stressed that the issue should not be viewed as a partisan dispute over the Osun election but as a broader national question concerning the future of Nigeria’s electoral democracy.

Jonathan said public office holders had a special responsibility to ensure that their conduct strengthened democratic institutions rather than created fear or apprehension among political opponents and citizens.

“We must not allow political competition to become a contest in which victory is perceived as something that must be achieved at all costs,” he warned.

He also observed that the large-scale deployment of political actors and security personnel to election states was not a feature commonly associated with established democracies, urging Nigeria to develop standards that would prevent such practices from becoming entrenched.

The former President therefore called on the National Peace Committee to convene an urgent stakeholders’ engagement to examine emerging practices surrounding elections and agree on acceptable boundaries for political conduct.

He proposed that the meeting should bring together the leadership of registered political parties, INEC, relevant security agencies, the National Assembly, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, civil society organisations and the media.

Jonathan said the National Peace Committee was best positioned to lead the initiative because of the confidence and moral authority it had built through its interventions during periods of political tension.

He said an early national conversation would enable political leaders and other stakeholders to establish clear expectations for electoral conduct before practices that appear unusual today become accepted as normal in future elections.

Jonathan maintained that Nigeria’s democracy could only be protected if political competition remained peaceful and if the enormous powers attached to public office were not deployed in ways that could intimidate voters, opponents or electoral stakeholders.