TD Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has called for the establishment of clear national standards governing the conduct of political leaders during off-cycle elections, warning that the growing mobilisation of serving governors, senior government officials and large security details into election states could undermine Nigeria’s democratic stability.
Jonathan made the call while reacting to the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State, where incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke emerged victorious.
The former president commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties and, particularly, the people of Osun State for what he described as the peaceful conduct of the election.
He, however, expressed concern over what he described as an emerging and “unwholesome” trend in Nigeria’s off-cycle elections, involving the convergence of serving governors, senior political office holders, party leaders and other influential figures from outside the state, often accompanied by large numbers of aides and security personnel.
According to Jonathan, the pattern witnessed around recent governorship elections in Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states should not be allowed to become normal practice in a democratic society.
He recalled that similar situations occurred during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship elections when he was president.
Jonathan said that after being briefed about the mobilisation of senior political figures into the states, he directed party leaders and senior government officials to leave the affected states.
The former president argued that while political parties have the legitimate right to campaign, mobilise supporters and deploy party structures, excessive mobilisation by powerful political actors on election day could create an atmosphere of apprehension, intimidation and undue pressure.
“Political parties are entitled to campaign, mobilise their supporters and deploy their legitimate party structures.
“That is an essential part of democracy,” he said.
“However, there is a point at which political mobilisation, particularly when it involves the overwhelming presence of serving governors, senior public officials and powerful political actors from across the country on election day, can create an atmosphere of apprehension, intimidation, bullying and undue pressure.”
Jonathan warned that allowing the practice to become entrenched could trigger a cycle in which governors and political actors from opposing parties routinely descend on states holding competitive elections to demonstrate political strength.
He said such a development could transform elections from peaceful contests for the people’s mandate into battles for political survival.
The former president also questioned whether the growing deployment of political power and large-scale mobilisation by public office holders on election day was consistent with the principles of free, fair and peaceful democratic competition.
He stressed that the issue should not be viewed as a partisan disagreement arising from the Osun election, but rather as a broader national concern requiring collective attention.
“Those of us who have occupied public office must recognise that our conduct carries a greater responsibility,” Jonathan said.
He added that the influence associated with public office should be used to strengthen democratic institutions rather than create apprehension among opponents or citizens.
Jonathan proposes National Peace Committee intervention
To address the concern, Jonathan called on the National Peace Committee to convene a stakeholders’ engagement as soon as practicable.
He said the proposed dialogue should provide a neutral platform for political leaders and other stakeholders to examine emerging electoral practices and agree on standards capable of protecting democracy and preserving peace.
Jonathan proposed that the meeting should include the leadership of registered political parties, INEC, relevant security agencies, the National Assembly, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, civil society organisations and the media.
He expressed confidence that the National Peace Committee was well positioned to lead the initiative because of the confidence and moral authority it has built through its interventions during periods of political tension.
According to him, an early national conversation would help establish appropriate boundaries and expectations for political conduct before practices that are currently considered unusual become accepted as normal.
Jonathan’s intervention comes amid continued debate over the role of political actors, security agencies and public office holders in Nigeria’s off-cycle elections, with concerns over the potential impact of excessive political mobilisation on voters, electoral officials and the wider democratic process.
The former president urged political leaders to prioritise the strengthening of democratic institutions and peaceful electoral competition over displays of political influence and power.
