Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigeria to implement sweeping reforms in its electoral system to deepen democracy, enhance accountability, and restore public trust in elections.
Speaking on Wednesday at the National Action Plan for Electoral Reform Dialogue in Abuja, organized by the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Jonathan said that despite progress since 1999, Nigeria’s democratic process remains plagued by systemic flaws.
“Nigeria has made notable progress since our return to democratic rule, but we must acknowledge that our electoral system still faces significant challenges,” Jonathan noted in a speech delivered on his behalf by Ann Iyonu, Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation. “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.”
Jonathan outlined several proposals, including the creation of an independent Office of the Registrar of Political Parties to regulate party operations, enforce internal democracy, and curb defections by elected officials.
“Parties are the foundation of any democracy, but in our context, they have become vulnerable to opportunism and instability,” he said, adding that the registrar should have the power to declare seats vacant when politicians defect without just cause, a system currently used in Kenya and Malawi.
Jonathan also called for reforms in the appointment process of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, advocating for an independent screening panel comprising representatives from the judiciary, civil society, academia, and professional bodies.
“This reform will reduce perceptions of bias, promote public trust in INEC, and enhance the legitimacy of its decisions,” he explained.
The former president stressed the need for all election petitions to be resolved before elected officials are sworn in, warning that pending court cases after inaugurations undermine governance.
“It creates confusion when candidates with unresolved election cases assume office only to be later removed by the courts. Justice delayed in elections is justice denied, not just for the candidates, but for the electorate,” he said, urging the streamlining of courts handling election disputes to cut delays and costs.
Jonathan concluded by emphasizing that the proposed reforms are patriotic and not partisan, aimed solely at strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
“Democracy is not just about casting ballots. It is about building institutions, promoting accountability, and protecting the rights of the citizens,” he stated.
