ABUJA, Nigeria — Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigeria to embark on far-reaching electoral reforms to strengthen democracy, improve accountability, and protect the legitimacy of elections.
Speaking on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at the launch of the National Action Plan for Electoral Reform in Nigeria, organised by Dr. Sam Amadi, Executive Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Jonathan said the country must be bold enough to reform its electoral institutions and processes if it is committed to deepening democracy.
He was represented at the event by Ann Iyonu, Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation.
“Nigeria has made notable progress since our return to democratic rule, but we must acknowledge that our electoral system still faces significant challenges,” Jonathan said.
“If we are truly committed to democracy, we must be bold enough to reform the process to better reflect the will of the people and the principles of justice, accountability, and inclusion.”
The former president emphasised the need to strengthen political party discipline, warning against the growing practice of cross-carpeting, where elected officials defect to other parties without accountability.
“To remedy this, we should strongly consider the establishment of an independent Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, charged with regulating party operations, promoting internal democracy, and enforcing party discipline,” Jonathan said.
He added that the office should have the authority to declare vacant the seat of any elected official who defects, affirming that “the electoral mandate belongs to the people and not to individual ambition.”
Jonathan also called for reform of the process for appointing the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He suggested the establishment of an independent screening and nomination mechanism composed of representatives from the judiciary, civil society, academia, and professional bodies.
“This body would be tasked with vetting and recommending a shortlist of qualified candidates, from which the President may appoint the Chairman,” he said, adding that such a system would “reduce perceptions of bias, promote public trust in INEC, and enhance the legitimacy of its decisions.”
Jonathan stressed the need to ensure all post-election disputes are resolved before the swearing-in of presidents and governors, warning that allowing unresolved cases to linger undermines governance.
“It creates confusion and undermines governance when candidates with unresolved election cases assume office, only to later be removed by the courts,” he said.
“Justice delayed in elections is justice denied, not just for the candidates, but for the electorate.”
He recommended specially designated tribunals with strict timelines to ensure electoral disputes are concluded in line with the electoral calendar.
Jonathan commended Amadi for spearheading the reform dialogue, describing it as “a patriotic service to Nigeria and future generations.”
“The reforms we are discussing today are not partisan, they are patriotic. They are not meant to benefit any one group, but to strengthen Nigeria,” he said.
“Let us confront our democratic weaknesses with honesty, and reform our system with courage. Let us continue to work together to build a Nigeria where elections are credible, leaders are accountable, and democracy truly delivers for the people.”
