Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for national attention to what he described as the growing influence of political heavyweights in off-cycle elections, citing the recent Osun State governorship poll.
Jonathan expressed concern over the involvement of serving governors, senior political office holders and other influential figures in state-level elections, warning that the practice could undermine the independence of local electoral contests.
Jonathan made the remark in a statement on Tuesday while reacting to the outcome of the just-concluded governorship election in Osun State.
The former president particularly referenced the presence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and several All Progressives Congress (APC) governors in Osun during the election period.
He argued that the convergence of political leaders and their security details in states holding elections could create an atmosphere capable of influencing voters and distorting the electoral process.
“While we commend the electoral process itself, there are developments surrounding the election and, more importantly, an emerging trend in political conduct during off-cycle elections that raises concerns.
“The growing practice whereby serving governors, senior political office holders, party leaders and other influential government functionaries, accompanied by large numbers 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 recalled that similar situations occurred during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship elections, saying he had taken steps at the time to prevent excessive external interference.
He urged relevant electoral and peace-building institutions to develop clear guidelines for the participation of external political actors in off-cycle elections.
“It is not a practice that should become normal in a democratic society”, Jonathan added.
Jonathan stressed that such elections should remain focused on the interests of residents and should not become platforms for national political power struggles.
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